Grabek Park in Czeladź

Grabek Park in Czeladź is a city park of about 13 hectares, located in the Brynica valley near the town centre. It is one of the largest parks in the Dąbrowa Basin. It contains a pond with fountains, an amphitheatre, a skatepark, playgrounds and a swimming pool complex, and in the south-western part a historic mulberry garden.

From a garden for miners to a city park

The oldest part of the park is the Mulberry Garden, which was created from 1928. The land was then bought by the "Saturn" Mining and Industrial Society for the mine's employees. Old white mulberries, formerly grown for silk production, grow there, and the garden itself is entered in the heritage register. A monument commemorating the victims of the Second World War also stands in the garden.

The larger part of the park was created in the 1960s on former pastures. In the 1970s the "Saturn" mine, with the help of residents (as voluntary community work), built an amphitheatre, a sports field and an artificial reservoir. Mining damage made the reservoir leak, so until the revitalisation in 2017 it remained a dry basin.

What is in the park today

The revitalisation begun in 2017 included renovation of the reservoir, which was given a system of pumps and fountains, plantings of water plants and fish. The amphitheatre for about 500 spectators was renovated, and a skatepark, three new playgrounds, an outdoor gym, a car park and pedestrian and cycle paths were built. The modernisation received an award in 2018. In the following years a salt graduation tower and further playgrounds were added.

The swimming pool is a separate part. It was taken out of use in 2015, and in 2020-2021 it was converted into a water relaxation zone of about 1000 m². It consists of a 25-metre swimming pool, a recreation pool, a water playground and a paddling pool. This modernisation received the Golden Modulor award.

Nature and trails

Between 288 and 334 plant species have been recorded in the park, including 42 species of trees and shrubs, mainly native ones. Among the natural monuments, the oldest are a common hornbeam with a girth of 187 cm and a sycamore maple with a girth of 310 cm. A PTTK 25th Anniversary hiking trail and a yellow cycling route lead through the park.

Practical information

• Location: Czeladź, right bank of the Brynica, near Legionów Street, next to the sports centre of the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre.
• Check the rules for using the swimming pool and the amphitheatre, and the opening hours, on the city websites before your visit.
• About 5 km from the park, in Będzin, stands Będzin Castle.