Parks and gardens

In Geneva, there is not one single district that cannot boast its own green area. There are no fewer than fifty such areas offering peace and quiet in a lush environment at the very heart of the city. The city’s numerous parks are filled with trees, lawns and flowers that are much appreciated by patrons.

Geneva is proud of its 310 hectares of parkland and its 428,000 plants, including 40,000 rose bushes and 40,000 trees planted in public areas.

• Parks
• Promenades and squares
• Cemeteries
• Forests
• Flowering plants

Areas for everyone and every kind of use

Sports fields, tourist attractions, promenades and picnic areas rolled into one, the city’s green areas satisfy a wide range of uses. For the well-being of everyone, it is important to adopt appropriate behaviour in the parks.

• Recommended behaviour to be adopted in the city’s parks
• Barbecue areas
• Processionary caterpillars

Leisure activities for children

The parks are equipped with a range of different facilities offering parents the chance to take a break and enjoy some time having fun with their children.

• Paddling pools
• Play areas

Places where dogs can be taken off the leash

There are certain places where dogs can ben taken off the leash, other places where they are accepted on condition that they are kept on leash, and some places and green areas where dogs are strictly prohibited.

• Places where dogs can be taken off the leash

Maintaining green areas

Production of plants and trees

The City of Geneva grows the flowering plants and trees that can be seen in public areas at the Vessy horticultural production centre and les Bornaches nursery. These centres provide high-quality plants while training apprentices and ensuring eco-friendly management of the environment.

• Horticultural production

Differentiated management of green areas

To create a pleasant environment for all, the horticulturists of the Parks and Gardens Department promote the diversity of green areas. Their method involves dealing with the different areas in accordance with their own specific use, character and aesthetics. This type of management respects nature, encourages biodiversity and increases the types of amenity offered to the public.

Differentiated management of green areas is an excellent example of sustainable development. It addresses concerns relating to the environment and social cohesion while complying with financial constraints. This type of management contributes to protecting biodiversity by enabling a range of plants and animals to thrive in urban areas. An original method of fighting pests and disease also helps protect the environment. Instead of pesticides, hundreds of ladybird larvae and little wasps are released to fight aphids which live on flowers as parasites.