Pedestrian paths arranged in The Great Cemetery and temporary lighting installed

These measures have been implemented to ensure people can walk through the park more comfortably and safely until a permanent solution is found.

Edgars Bergholcs, Chairman of the City Development Committee of the Riga City Council, states: in the spring, Brasa residents were promised improved safety in the Great Cemetery. An agreement was reached with "The Friends of the Great Cemetery" (Lielo kapu draugi) and the Brasa Neighborhood Association on the most urgent actions needed immediately. These temporary solutions represent the best option for all parties involved. The promise has now been fulfilled, and people can walk through the Great Cemetery with greater safety. Wherever possible, lighting has been installed and damaged paths have been repaired.

The works were carried out quickly and with a limited budget. It is important to note that this is only a temporary solution. A working group has already been established and is developing permanent solutions for the entire park. Prior to commencing the works, specialists assessed the technical condition of the paths.

This assessment helped determine the best methods and machinery to maximize the repaired area within the limited budget. Various methods were used for path restoration:

In total, 1,200 m² of path surface was restored, and potholes were repaired across an additional 300 m².

This covers approximately one-fifth of all paths in the park. Temporary lighting has been installed along the main pedestrian path from Senču Street to Klijānu Street. Cables were stretched between trees over a distance of about 350 meters to hang the light fixtures. Since the Great Cemetery is a historical site, the design, color, and brightness of the lights were coordinated with the National Heritage Board. This ensures the lighting matches the aesthetic already present in other parts of the cemetery.

The park is large, the paths vary, and lighting is expensive. Therefore, it is currently impossible to install lighting in all areas requested by residents. For instance, lighting could not be installed in the section between Indrānu Street and Miera Street due to tree placement and budget constraints.

The lighting and path repairs are temporary solutions. The National Heritage Board has specified that they can remain in place for no longer than 4 years. The Riga Municipality has already begun working on the permanent reconstruction of the Great Cemetery. The plan envisions a complete reconstruction of all paths and permanent infrastructure development. Infrastructure includes everything that helps people move around and spend time in the park, such as paths, lighting, and benches.

The total cost of these temporary solutions is 98,226 euros. The works were carried out by the Outdoor Space and Mobility Department of the Riga Municipality.