„Return to La Mancha"

 

Implementer: Paszowice Gmina Cultural Centre

 

Problem: The main problem for the inhabitants of the village of Jakuszowa had been the lack of a playground and meeting place for children and youth. The vicnity of a newly rennovated youth club building where cultural activities were already taking place since the beginning of the year was seen as a good potential location. Linking the function of the youthclub with the open recreational space would create an inviting place for both inhabitants and tourists travelling on the tourist trail passing through the village.

 

Objective: The main objectives of the project are to develop the land around the youth club in such a way as to provide local inhabitants with a clean, pleasant and safe rest & recreation place - called „La Mancha"; to build closer ties within the community through teamwork-oriented activities; to restore the identity of the village and bring back the memories of its pre-war tourist attractions.

 

Project implementation and results: Project work involved:

1. Building a playground equipped with swings and a sandpit for children as well as a shelter, 4 tables, 8 benches, brick grill and campfire site for adult inhabitants of the village and visitors;

2. Cleaning up a bluff located on the grounds and planting it over with bushes. Performed by children, youth and parents;

3. Tidying the area adjacent to the grounds (about 16 ares) and next, planting trees and bushes and setting up 2 rubbish receptacles. Work performed by village residents;

4.  Building over a well located on the premises for safety reasons and creating a stylized windmill - the symbol of pre-war Jakuszowa, made based on a design developed by the pupils of Paszowice Elementary School;

5. Putting a purchased bicycle stand next to the youth club building;

6. Rennovating the stairs leading up to the youth club;

7. Setting up a tourist information board next to the youth club building;

- parents were charged with polling community members about the most interesting and tourist worthy places in Jakuszowa and the nearby area;

- children participated in an art & photography contest for the most beautiful and important locations and sites in the vilage and surrounding area.

8. A school trip and educational series about harnessing energy from renewable sources (water, wind) at the „Salamandra" Environmental and Local Heritage Education Centre in Myślibórz;

9. Organizing a workshop meeting open to all residents of Jakuszowa and neighbouring villages on the topic of the usefulness of setting up and running agrotourist farms;

10. Co-organising the „Following Don Quixote" trek with the Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society at the conclusion of the summer;

11. The official opening of the „La Mancha" as part of a village-wide celebration involving village residents, project partners and visiting tourists.

 

Project partners: Paszowice Municipality Office, Jakuszowa Village Council, JAWROL Ltd. Grain Producers Group, „Salamandra" Environmental and Local Heritage Education Centre in Myślibórz, Paszowice Elementary School, Jawor branch of the Polish Tourist Country Lovers Society, Lower Silesia Centre for Agricultural Advisory Services in Jawor.

 

Grant amount, other sources of funding: