A short stroll south of central Tirana, the Grand Park is a haven from all the traffic and dust. It is a 289 hectare public park administered by the Agency of Parks and Recreation of the Municipality of Tirana. The Park was built between 1955 and 1956 based on a Bulgarian plan and used to be called the Gogo stable, in a green area. At one time, thousands of the city’s inhabitants came here on holidays to play and picnic and nowadays it is a place for people to relax in the fresh air, to bike, to run or do other physical activities. The park can be reached by walking up the path to the west of the university building; you’ll end up near Tirana Lake (known as the artificial lake), which is surrounded by pleasant parkland and restaurants. The Park includes an artificial lake and many other landmarks such as the Saint Procopius Church, the Presidential Palace, and memorials to several Albanian personalities. Walk west and you can reach the dam, at the other end of which the visitors can find Tirana Zoo. Walk east uphill there are several intriguing memorial. Nearby stand several grey stones where there are listed the names of all German soldiers died in Albania during the World War II. Tombs of Frasheri brothers it can be found up the hill. They helped catalyze the Albanian national awakening in the late 19th century.
The Palace of Brigades which served as the residence of King Zog, stands at the far edge of the park and was named by the partisans who captured it in World War II. Actually it is used for official receptions (and with a military headquarters nearby), it is off limits to the public. To the southern end of the Park, there is Botanical Garden which includes many flowers and plants that are common to the Albanian environment. There are almost 120 species of trees, bushes and flowers. The Botanical Garden area is of 14.5 hectares and the lake's size is of 55 hectares. The Open-Air Theatre is another great spot, where regular stage shows featuring talented artists take place. The Grand Park of Tirana also boasts many multi-functional courts for various sports and leisure activities. In 2005, the Municipality organized the 'Green Fair', where major ideas were collected as how to fully rehabilitate the Park. Actually the reconstruction of the par has finished and Grand Park of Tirana remains one of the most relaxing places in the city. The weekend is the peak time in which the park warmly welcomes a multitude of park-goers, those of whom seek recreation in the area’s many open green spaces, promenades, playgrounds and eateries.