In modern society open spaces in urban areas represent major forms of human activity such as physical recreation and leisure as well as important areas of communal and governmental responsibility.

It is inconceivable for me as a keen environmentalist not to praise any initiative that promotes the planting of trees and shrubs in open spaces. But to deprive children and adults of open spaces ideal for physical recreation and other active pursuit is unpardonable.

And this is happening in an island where obesity has become ridiculously endemic and coronary diseases among the highest in Europe. Undoubtedly the Mdina Ditch from the ornate Baroque Gate to Greek Gate looks extremely beautiful with its lush green turf and trees adding beauty to the recently beautifully restored Mdina bastions.

But they have usurped and completely abolished the children’s fundamental right to play and indulge in improvised or organised physical recreation. The garden has completely denied a highly densely populated zone a decent open space for physical recreation. Furthermore, the previous playing fields including a tennis court in the Rabat ditch were not only the unofficial nursery of the Rabat football team in its heydays but also frequented by children and adults from all over the island during their outings to the beautiful Rabat countryside.

The restoration and embellishment of the long Vittoriosa-wide ditch that stretches from Dockyard Creek to Kalkara Creek is very laudable as they add lustre to the impressive bastions that girdle this ancient city. However no spaces, with the notable exception of a boċċi pitch, have been leftfor playing fields for improvised games for the citizens of this densely populated area in Cottonera.

And this happens in an iconic ditch that can accommodate a full-size football ground and other sports amenities to serve the needs of all Cottonera, Kalkara and Żabbar as well as the many schools and colleges in the area.

Unless these gardens attract a number of popular sports and physical recreation activities with the possibility of a recreation and leisure manager professionally trained, they become more exposed to vandalism, neglect and misuse as happened in the Cospicua Gardens.