Lech and Maria Kaczynski Park

Lech and Maria Kaczynski Park stretches along the newer southwestern section of the Batumi coastline, providing a distinct coastal environment where the city’s contemporary architecture meets the shore of the Black Sea. Established to honor the deep-rooted diplomatic and cultural relationship between Georgia and Poland, this park serves as a tribute to the late Polish President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Maria Kaczynska. The landscape design contrasts with the older, more manicured sections of the historic boulevard, trading heavy tree canopies for open, wide lawns, modern structural forms, and paths engineered for walking and cycling.

Historical Significance and Diplomatic Ties

The creation of the park marks a specific chapter in modern Georgian diplomacy. Following the tragic plane crash near Smolensk in 2010, which claimed the lives of President Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and numerous Polish dignitaries, the municipality of Batumi dedicated this seaside space to their memory. The park underscores the solidarity shared between the two nations during critical geopolitical events in the Caucasus region. Near the main walkways, a formal memorial monument stands containing sculptural elements and commemorative plaques that detail the life and political impact of the late president, making the area a regular stop for international delegations and visiting state officials.

Landscape Architecture and Public Art

Geographically, the park functions as a major lung for the rapidly developing New Boulevard district. Unlike the dense, century-old flora of Central Batumi Boulevard, this park features native coastal grass installations, wind-resistant ornamental shrubs, and lines of young palm trees arranged to withstand the humid subtropical marine climate.

Several modern public art installations and architectural landmarks define the space:

• The Slippers Sculpture: A notable whimsical installation depicting giant flip-flops resting on eggs, symbolizing summer seaside leisure.
• The Labyrinth: A low-walled maze structure designed into the landscape, popular for casual exploration.
• Reflecting Installations: Structural viewpoints that frame the horizon, focusing attention on the natural curvature of the coastline and the changing colors of the maritime sky.