Between 2011 and 2019, the Giardino Pellegrino (Pellegrino public garden) hosted the “Turin Eye” hot air balloon, offering visitors a panoramic view of the city. After the attraction was dismantled, the area was left closed and abandoned for years, filled with concrete blocks and unused structures. In 2020, thanks to the commitment of local associations and residents, a long revitalization process began. Led by the Porta Palazzo Community Foundation in collaboration with the district and civic organizations, the reopening took two years and focused on community co-design, free construction works, public refurbishment, new furniture and a playground. Over 200 people supported the effort, raising €7,382 through crowdfunding, with additional resources from the Municipality via the European project TONITE.
In 2022, a Collaboration Pact was signed to transform the garden into a “common good”: a shared space for participation, culture and social life. Associations and volunteers co-manage the garden, organize free cultural activities, promote community care, and foster social inclusion and multicultural dialogue in one of Turin’s most diverse neighborhoods.
