Salina’s popular park will be extended by about 7,000 square metres if government plans are approved by the planning authority.

A long stretch of stream will refresh the atmosphere

About 5,000 square metres will be landscaped and another 1,100 square metres allotted to parking.

There will be an area with play equipment, water reservoirs and streams.

The works will include removal of soil, moving it to other areas within the site. The target is to complete the whole project by the end of 2013.

The proposed extension is in J. F. Kennedy Road while the car park will be in an existing side dirt track road, which will be widened. The exit will lead to Qawra Road.

Two parks will be linked with a safe crossing junction with traffic lights.

The first phase – excavation and construction works for the reservoir – will include removing the top soil to reach rock level and excavation of rock further down.

It is estimated that about 315 cubic metres of soil would be removed, which would be used for the landscaped areas within the site.

The only environmental impact was likely to be pollution within the site during excavation works for the reservoirs. However, since it was a “considerable distance away from buildings” and habitable areas this could be considered as negligible, the report notes.

The nearby Salina salt pans are undergoing a ­complete rehabilitation, a project estimated to cost €10 million.