Limassol, Cyprus. Mayor Yiannis Armeftis has proposed expanding the Polemidia Forest Park in Ayia Fyla into land used by the Limassol recruitment training centre (KEN) as a first step toward creating a broader metropolitan park for the city.
Proposal to incorporate nearby defence ministry land
Speaking to Entrepreneurial Limassol, a periodical published by the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evel), Armeftis said the municipality had identified plots that may be unused by the defence ministry and had marked them on maps already submitted to defence minister Vasilis Palmas.
The area covers around 40,000 to 50,000 square metres and, according to Armeftis, could be incorporated into the metropolitan park currently under discussion.
Focus on green space and public-use infrastructure
Armeftis said the proposal aims to expand green space around the existing forest park and create infrastructure for public use.
“We are requesting the expansion of the green space, so that it can be properly configured and infrastructure can be created around the camp, so that someone can walk, run, and various other activities,” he said.
He added that his contact with the defence minister had been exploratory, with the ministry undertaking to examine the request after receiving the relevant plans.
Planning context and next steps
Armeftis said it is common international practice for military infrastructure located inside urban areas to be moved through long-term, organised planning.
He also recalled meeting agriculture minister Maria Panayiotou in 2025, as the Ayia Fyla forest park falls under that ministry’s responsibility. At that meeting, the preparation of a master plan was discussed, with Limassol municipality expected to coordinate the process.
According to the mayor, the current priority is to secure the necessary areas before work begins on the master plan, which will determine the final boundaries of the project.
Potential phases of a metropolitan park
Armeftis said the Polemidia forest area already represents the de facto first phase of the metropolitan park, while a second phase could link it with the areas around the Polemidia dam and, later on, with other parks across greater Limassol.
What impact would an expanded metropolitan park have on your use of public green spaces in Limassol?