About St. Elizabeth's Park
One of the largest and most beautiful parks on the shores of Lake Balaton, the largest public green area of Almádi, which is an eye-catching sight even in winter. The park area stretches from the railway crossing at Bajcsy-Zsilinszky road to Wesselényi beach, which is bordered on the north by the railway line and on the south by Lake Balaton.
The history of the park dates back to the time of Dezső Véghely, a naturalist. Around 1882, he initiated the landscaping of Balatonalmádi. The trees and shrubs of the 10-hectare park began to be planted in 1890. At that time, the shores of Lake Balaton were still swampy, so white and black poplar and willow trees were planted here.
In the founding document of the Almádi Bath Company, established in 1893, the main goal was the flourishing of the Almádi Bath. To this end, their work was continuous, the almost only visible result of which is the coastal promenade.
The park was afforested directly with the exception of the coastal strip, as a result of which by 1901 beautiful large trees could be found here. In 1902, the shore was settled, during which the reeds were cut down and the area filled up. The new pier and music pavilion were built. At the same time, the first statues were placed in the park, Petőfi, Kossuth and Rákóczi, and then established the memorial bench after death of Dezső Véghely (in 1914).
The installation of the most valuable rows of trees were probably finished by 1903: the row of sycamore trees grown in a special cup shape and the double row of willows with orange-red willows are a pleasant highlight of the park. Later, ornamental trees came here from all over the country, mainly birch, sycamore, alder and swamp cypress. Yew, columnar thuja, Juniperus sabina, and wild variations of many tree species color the ensemble. Evergreen shrubs are also remarkable. Close to the road to Wesselényi beach we can see the ginkgo tree belonging to the tribe of ancient open crops. This ancient fern is now a "living fossil" of plant rarity.
The Women for Lake Balaton Association received a grant of about HUF 50 million in 2008-2009 within the framework of the Norwegian application system, of which the park was renewed. It was not just a renewal of green areas and the rejuvenation of existing plants a project element, but also the renovation of footpaths, the placement of street furniture and waste collectors.
In 2013, the Handshake Europe Sculpture Park was completed within the framework of the New Hungary Rural Development Program 2007-2013. The support obtained by the local government of Balatonalmádi in the LEADER tender and by the selfless citizens.
It was declared a nature reserve in 1977 on the basis of valuable plant resources. In 2015, based on the decision of the representative board of the local government of Balatonalmádi, it remained protected natural area of local significance.
