Watch: Ġnien Zaylen – New Inclusive Park Opens In Paola In Memory Of Young Boy
A new accessible park has opened in Paola, bringing together the values of inclusion, nature, and remembrance.
The outdoor area at Aġenzija Sapport’s Day Services Centre has been transformed into Ġnien Zaylen, a 5,000 sqm green space created through Project Green and the Environment Ministry.
Named in memory of Zaylen, a young boy who tragically lost his life, the garden offers an inclusive and therapeutic environment for people of all abilities.
The park was officially inaugurated by Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and Minister for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Julia Farrugia Portelli, in the presence of Zaylen’s family, Project Green, Aġenzija Sapport, and members of the local community.
Minister Dalli said the project reflects “what our work is all about, creating spaces that nurture people.” She described the garden as a living tribute to Zaylen, designed to enhance dignity, inclusion, and community care.
Minister Farrugia Portelli highlighted that Ġnien Zaylen embodies a message of respect, hope, and love, supporting Malta’s National Autism Strategy 2021–2030. The park includes sensory pathways, quiet zones, aromatic plants, and accessible play and sports areas, offering therapeutic and inclusive experiences for visitors.
Zaylen’s mother, Francesca Borg, delivered an emotional message encouraging parents of children on the autism spectrum to stay hopeful and positive. She thanked everyone involved for turning this vision into a place where people can find peace and connection.
Through collaboration between Project Green and Aġenzija Sapport, the once simple space was reimagined into a vibrant, eco-friendly community park, complete with an irrigation system, raised planter beds, sensory features, and accessible sports facilities like a Bocci pitch and upgraded basketball court.
Ġnien Zaylen is open to the public on weekdays from 12.30pm to 6pm, and on weekends from 7am to 6pm, all year round.
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