An abandoned Greek airport is set to be converted into a sprawling 600-acre coastal park.

Known for its ancient landmarks perched on sun-scorched hills, Athens has never been synonymous with expansive green spaces. However, that may soon change, as the site of the city’s former international airport and its surrounding waterfront are poised to become a massive coastal park, even larger than London’s Hyde Park.

The location of the Ellinikon International Airport, once a bustling hub for travelers to Greece, has remained vacant for nearly two decades. After its closure in 2001, the airport stood abandoned, with the only activity taking place during the 2004 Summer Olympics when it temporarily hosted venues for softball, hockey, and fencing. Today, the site is overrun with dry, rust-colored weeds, a stark contrast to its former glory.

Construction of the Ellinikon Metropolitan Park is scheduled to begin early next year. This ambitious 600-acre project will revitalize the area, offering Athenians a new park, recreational space, and cultural hub, all while bolstering the city’s climate resilience.

Michael Grove, landscape architect at Sasaki, the Boston-based design firm behind the project, called it 'a generational and transformative initiative for Greece.' He noted that Athenians had been 'frustrated by this prime piece of public land lying unused for 20 years.' Sasaki, renowned for its expertise in landscape and urban design, is also credited with New York’s Greenacre Park, Charleston’s Waterfront Park, and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Green.

A Nod to History

Parts of the site’s historic past will be retained in its new incarnation. The 1960s-era terminal, designed by the famed Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, will remain intact, along with the towering runway light poles. Over 300,000 square feet of former runway concrete and tarmac will be repurposed for benches, paving, and other elements.

This 'upcycling' approach enhances the park’s environmental sustainability, according to Grove. 'We’re repurposing the existing materials, like the 30-centimeter-thick concrete slabs with marble aggregates the size of golf balls,' he explained. Additionally, the park aims to reduce its carbon footprint by using an all-electric maintenance fleet and organic fertilizers and pesticides once it opens.

Only native plant species will be featured throughout the park, including 31,000 trees from 86 different varieties and over 3 million plants. The design team worked closely with local Greek nurseries to gather native seed mixes that offer ecological benefits while flourishing in the increasingly dry climate of the region.

Athens is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, with rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. A 2018 study by Newcastle University, which assessed climate risks for 571 European cities, predicted that Athens would face some of the most severe droughts and heatwaves by 2050.

The city’s high temperatures are aggravated by the urban heat island effect, where concrete, stone, and asphalt absorb and trap heat. Eleni Myrivilli, Athens’ chief heat officer and senior climate resilience advisor at the Atlantic Council’s Arsht-Rock Resilience Center, explained that Athens’ dense urban fabric and non-porous surfaces exacerbate rising heat and contribute to flooding during heavy downpours, as they don’t absorb water.

Green spaces can mitigate urban heat. 'We’re transforming a site that was 80% hardscape into 80% softscape,' said Grove. Replacing concrete and stone with trees and shrubs allows for rainwater absorption and provides shade, which naturally cools the environment.

To tackle water scarcity, the park will use treated wastewater from a nearby plant for irrigation, and a 3.7-acre lake – repurposed from the former Olympic canoe and kayak area – will capture and store stormwater for future use.

These design features are vital for a climate-resilient future, according to Aleksandra Kazmierczak, climate change and health expert at the European Environment Agency (EEA). 'Green spaces are one of the most effective ways to reduce temperatures in cities,' she said. 'Designing cities as sponges to absorb excess water can prevent flooding and save millions, even billions, of Euros in damages.'

Healthier cities

One of the key advantages of green spaces is their positive impact on physical health, mental well-being, and social connection, said Kazmierczak. People living in greener environments are generally less stressed, less likely to be obese, and benefit from reduced noise and air pollution, all of which contribute to long-term health improvements.

In Athens, a city where green spaces are limited – ranked among the lowest EU capitals for urban tree coverage – the creation of a major green development like the Ellinikon is a significant opportunity, according to Myrivilli. While smaller green initiatives, such as 'pocket parks,' have emerged within the city, none match the Ellinikon in terms of scale or its focus on nature-based solutions, she noted.

'For the physical and mental well-being of Athenians, this will provide a space for relaxation and rejuvenation,' she explained. 'It’s especially vital for those who can’t afford to escape the city during the scorching summer months.'

The Ellinikon will offer something for everyone, said Grove. The park will include sculpture gardens, sports facilities, outdoor theaters, dining venues, and a public beach. With 50 kilometers of walking trails and 30 kilometers of cycling paths, Grove hopes Athenians will actively explore the area and connect with nature.

With momentum finally building, the architects are determined to move swiftly. The first phase of the park, covering about 250 acres and including the central Olympic Square, the city’s tram line, and the entire coastal frontage, is expected to be finished by the end of 2025 or early 2026, according to Grove.

Grove envisions the Ellinikon becoming Athens’ version of Central Park – a place that will redefine how Athenians interact with public space, benefit the city’s public and ecological health, and endure for generations. 'Considering Athens’ long history, we expect this park to be a lasting feature for at least 1,000 years,' he said.