The site of the former Gejza Dražďák forester’s lodge was ceremonially opened in early July. (source: Kristína Močková/MLB)
Bratislava now offers its residents and visitors a new space for recreation and education in the heart of Petržalka. The site of the former Gejza Dražďák forester’s lodge on Starhradská Street – once a neglected area strewn with construction debris – has been transformed into a clean, welcoming environment with new facilities for leisure and environmental learning, the City of Bratislava informed on its website.
“By opening the Gejza Dražďák forester’s lodge site to the public, we’ve managed to breathe new life into a long-abandoned area and create a new space in Petržalka for relaxation, community, and education,” said Marek Páva, director of MLB. “Our goal is to make this a true urban forest – safe, maintained, and a place where people can connect with nature.”
The forester’s lodge, dating back to 1779, was once the workplace of Gejza Dražďák, a member of an old forestry family. His brother, Ernest Dražďák, also served as a forester in Petržalka. The nearby lakes – Veľký and Malý Draždiak – are named in their honour.
The grounds have been open to the public for several months and are steadily gaining popularity among locals. The area now features eight fire pits – five of them newly installed – all regularly cleaned and maintained. Twelve A-sets, comprising benches with tables, provide seating for groups and families, while children can enjoy the newly built Šantisko playground. The play area was constructed by employees of the municipal forestry company, Mestské lesy v Bratislave (Bratislava City Forests/MLB), using locally sourced wood. The site has also been enhanced with freshly planted fruit trees.
Urban woodland gets new life as educational hub
Beyond recreation, the site now serves as a centre for forest pedagogy. MLB has extended its environmental education programme to include regular sessions for schools and kindergartens, with a focus on bees and pollinators. During beekeeping workshops, children from Bratislava schools learn about the life and importance of bees, try on a beekeeper’s hat, observe live bees up close, and even make candles from beeswax. A mobile beehive is also stationed on site.
Although the Petržalka woodland only recently came under the management of MLB, the company has already introduced several improvements aimed at restoring order, safety, and public use. A comprehensive revitalisation project for the entire area, including the forester’s lodge building, is in the pipeline. In the meantime, visitors can enjoy the upgraded surroundings and a rare green space in one of Bratislava’s most densely populated boroughs.
Deputy Mayor of Bratislava, Tatiana Kratochvílová, praised the changes and the city’s commitment to preserving and revitalising its green areas.
“I’m delighted that this green treasure between Malý and Veľký Draždiak is now under the care of our city forest company,” she said. “Bratislava fully supports the improvements that are making this woodland safer and more welcoming. It’s encouraging to see the space becoming cleaner, safer, and more inviting for walks, sport, and rest beneath the trees.”
