Sielecki Park in Sosnowiec

Park Sielecki, formerly known as Park Renardowski, is a historic urban park located in Sosnowiec, situated on the banks of the Czarna Przemsza River. It was established in the 18th century and is the second oldest and fourth largest urban park in the region. Its total area is 20.24 hectares, with 9.84 hectares comprising the newer section and 10.4 hectares the older part. The park is characterized by diverse vegetation—it is home to approximately 60 species of trees, including rare varieties such as the catalpa and the scarlet hawthorn. The park also features natural monuments, including 12 trees designated as such, like the common catalpa and the pedunculate oak. The history of the park dates back to 1856, when Count Andrzej Renard acquired the Sielec estate and expanded both the castle and the park in the English style. Over the years, the park underwent numerous changes, including expansion into former fruit and vegetable gardens and areas of water treatment settlers. Despite numerous modernizations and alterations that have influenced its appearance, the park has retained much of its former aesthetic, and to this day, visitors can admire the historic Sielecki Castle. In 1960, the park was added to the list of heritage sites. Park Sielecki is also an important cultural venue, hosting numerous recurring and special events such as Sosnowiec Days, Sosnowiec Fun Festival, and Military Picnics. The park offers various attractions, including a rollerblading track, a skatepark, a relaxation zone, and a fenced playground for children. In 2005, a skatepark was opened, and in 2019, the park was officially renamed "Park Sielecki." Several monuments and memorials can be found in the park, including the "Freedom, Work, Dignity" monument, as well as statues of Aleksy Bień and the young Jan Kiepura. Among the interesting facts about the park is the brine graduation tower launched in 2023, and the fact that the complex of buildings in the former park now combines various recreational and cultural elements, attracting both residents and tourists. Despite various stages of modernization, the park remains an oasis of greenery in the city and an important landmark on the map of Sosnowiec.