Brno's New Two-Billion-Crown Riverside Promenade: Locals Love It, But Want More Shade

Brno continues to embrace its new riverside promenade along the Svratka River, built as part of flood-prevention works at a cost of nearly two billion crowns. The city has laid five kilometres of walking paths and another three kilometres of cycling trails, and according to visitor surveys, most people are pleased with the changes — though the lack of shade on hot days remains the most common complaint.

On a Friday afternoon, with temperatures hitting 34°C, the promenade quickly filled with people seeking refuge from the sun under bridges and on café terraces, cooling off with ice cream or simply strolling along the water. Young mother Katka Švandová, out with her child, praised the good selection of cafés and rest areas suited for parents with prams. For cyclist Ivan Spevák, the promenade has become a safer commuting route, letting him avoid traffic and dangerous intersections. Meanwhile, runner Kristof Nezval complains about cyclists who sometimes ride straight through pedestrian zones without dismounting.

Not everyone is equally happy with the changes: local angler Roman complains that fishing is no longer allowed here. However, according to Jiří Franěk, who manages the "Svratka 3" fishing area, there is no official ban on fishing along this stretch — Roman's experience, he explains, stems from personal circumstances rather than any general prohibition.

The main grievance among visitors is the lack of shade. The young trees recently planted along the promenade are still too small to provide any real protection from the sun, so people tend to gather under bridges or on shaded café terraces, leaving the open stretches of the promenade fully exposed to the blazing heat. Kristýna Konečná, out walking her dog, admits she was initially strongly against the felling of trees at this site, but ultimately liked the result — although she still feels there isn't enough shade. "The trees will grow in a few years, but for now, some umbrellas or something similar would help," she says, recalling her years living on Tenerife, where beaches and promenades always had shade structures in place.

City officials acknowledge the shade problem as well. According to Vojtěch Mencl, mayor of the Brno-střed district, the city hall is working with the construction company and café owners to find a solution for the colonnade and terraces — the most likely option under discussion is installing uniform awnings over all the cafés and bistros. The question of restrooms has also come up, as some visitors are unsure where to find them along the long stretch of the promenade. According to the city hall, free toilets are available in the main colonnade building, with mobile cabins also placed near the wetland area; their number will be increased in the future, with restrooms added to the café currently under construction and to the renovated former buffet building.

Some parts of the promenade are still under construction. The walking and cycling paths were opened to the public back in July 2025 under an early-use permit, while the city obtained final occupancy permits in November (for the paths) and December (for the colonnade building) — according to city hall spokesperson Filip Poňuchálek, these were only minor finishing touches, such as staircase railings. City councillors approved the transfer of the area to the Brno-střed district in March, with the handover itself taking place in spring.

According to the city hall's estimates, maintaining and servicing the promenade will cost around six million crowns a year, with the upkeep of green spaces contracted out to a private company. The colonnade area is monitored by cameras linked to the municipal police dispatch centre, regular patrols are carried out, and a nighttime quiet period is in effect from 10 p.m., just as in other parts of the city. According to Mayor Mencl, no serious complaints have been received so far — mostly, people are asking for more greenery.

Development of the promenade continues: construction of a new café is currently underway, with an opening planned for autumn once the occupancy permit is granted. The district is also preparing an Advent programme and Christmas markets along the promenade, and promises to add more outdoor furniture as well as steps by the pontoons so visitors can walk straight down into the water. Together with local business owners, the city hall is developing a concept for cultural and community events to take place in the new space.

Read also: Brno: What to See and Where to Go

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz