After the project presentation to the public in spring, the solutions were adjusted based on the feedback received – updated requirements for sauna architecture, improved pedestrian connections and access solutions, enhanced rainwater management and small architecture, while the children’s playground was decided to be designed in a separate phase.
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The final project proposals will be presented to the public on September 15 at 6 p.m. at the VU Botanical Garden Vingis branch (M. K. Čiurlionio 110).
“After presenting the project in spring, we received quite a few comments and suggestions from residents. The purpose of the publicity is to hear how to make the project better, so after discussions, we significantly changed the solutions. We believe that the improved beach infrastructure and more functions throughout the year will allow Vilnius residents to enjoy this natural space much more qualitatively,” says Adomas Bužinskas, Director of the Vilnius City Municipality Administration.
More freedom for sauna architecture
One of the main changes relates to the architecture of the three saunas planned at the Vingis Park beach. During the previous project presentation, some residents raised questions about the specific aesthetic expression planned for them.
Taking the comments into account, the architectural conditions were updated. They now set more abstract requirements for the appearance of the saunas, leaving more room for future competition participants to propose a creative architectural solution that fits the Vingis Park environment. Only recommended sauna volumes and a range of recommended materials for sauna facades were selected.
The saunas themselves continue to be designed as movable infrastructure, not permanent buildings. The project foresees that saunas, terraces, toilets, and lifeguard posts will be installed on modular, movable bases to minimize ground intervention.
The State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate has clarified that items that can be moved from one place to another without changing their purpose and without dismantling are considered movable objects. The Vingis Park saunas are designed on this principle.
Updating the already used city beach
Saunas are only one part of the broader Vingis Park beach renewal project. Its goal is also to improve the quality of the beach already used by Vilnius residents and to add missing functions.
The need for renewal became apparent in 2024 when the city conducted a survey of residents about the use of Vingis Park. Among the biggest shortcomings of the park, Vilnius residents named the lack of toilets, abandoned buildings, and a shortage of quiet relaxation spots. Residents also suggested better utilization of the beach, increasing the variety of functions, and adapting the park more to different social groups.
The Vingis Park beach was later evaluated during the city’s inventory of abandoned or underutilized Neris riverbank areas.
Today, the beach infrastructure is minimal – the area lacks toilets, showers, convenient access for people with disabilities, and other infrastructure needed for daily use.
Therefore, besides the three movable saunas, the project includes toilets, showers, a lifeguard post, terraces, and other necessary beach infrastructure – including a bicycle repair station, trash bins for pet waste, and more.
The buildings adjacent to the beach belong to the state and are managed by Vilnius University under a trust agreement, so they are not included in this project. The city focuses on improving the beach area it owns and ensuring the missing functions there.
Improved connections, no new parking lots
When adjusting the project, much attention was also paid to how people will reach the beach and move within the area. Pedestrian movement trajectories were adjusted, and some paths are designed with mulch covering to maintain the most natural character of the area.
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During the previous presentation, doubts also arose about the planned asphalt access to the beach. Considering concerns that asphalt could encourage greater car and bicycle traffic, a more suitable paving stone surface for pedestrians and the park environment was chosen.
The access itself remains necessary – it must allow people with disabilities, emergency medical services, firefighters, and other special and service vehicles to reach the beach.
No new car parking lots are planned in Vingis Park. Only eight spaces will be arranged near the beach for people with disabilities, service vehicles, and food trucks.
The children’s playground will be designed separately
Another change after the project publicity is the decision to separate the children’s playground from the main project phase.
Its solutions will no longer be approved at this stage – the playground concept and equipment will be refined separately. This will allow more time to properly select its theme, equipment, and architectural expression and to additionally discuss the solutions with interested groups.
The first phase will focus entirely on the beach and its main infrastructure improvement.
Solutions coordinated with responsible institutions
When adjusting the project, not only residents’ suggestions but also the natural and cultural sensitivity of the area were evaluated.
The project is prepared following the requirements of the Real Estate Cultural Heritage Protection and Special Land Use Conditions laws, and the solutions are coordinated with the State Protected Areas Service.
Confirmation was also received that the planned activity will not have a significant impact on the “Natura 2000” protected areas and that an environmental impact assessment is not required for the project.
It is planned to remove 45 invasive Norway maples and black locusts from the area, replacing them with plants characteristic of Vingis Park.
Three protected trees will also be removed. Two of them due to very poor condition: a dried mountain ash and a brittle willow damaged by rot. One Manchurian walnut is removed due to project solutions.
Additionally, the project is supplemented with rainwater management solutions – dry wells are planned in the area to allow rainwater to soak in on site.
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