The city of Nice “did not wait for purchasing power to become a central theme of public debate to act on this subject”, launches the municipality on the issue of free services in the public space. Wi-Fi access in the street and in tram lines, USB recharging sockets, canine cleaning bag dispensers or even water fountains, including sparkling water. In Nice, we are rather well served.
In October, the city installed a first changing table in the park on the promenade du Paillon. Others will be set up in the coming weeks in the Carol Park in Romania, the Castel of the Two Kings, that of Ray, the Alsace-Lorraine garden and that of the Castle Hill, assures the community.
New products to come
At the start of 2022, on the occasion of the renewal of street furniture, all stations on line 1 of the tramway will be equipped with USB recharging sockets, the city also promises. Always on the subject of novelties, cyclists await the “five free multiservice stations which will allow them to inflate their bicycle tires, to make small repairs and adjustments”. Also coming up, “five free sanitary facilities in 2022, in the West Park, in the Saint Jean d’Angely garden and in the Albert 1er garden”, further specifies the municipality. Currently, as we can see on the site of the metropolis, ten are paying and ten others are free.
These are scattered throughout the city, “but it is when you are strolling through the center, far from home, that you want to be able to take advantage of this service”, comments a passerby in Old Nice. In this district, going from the Albert 1er garden to the castle park, it is possible to come across six different toilets, all accessible against 50 cents.
Services “not necessarily well thought out” but access to culture “for all”
The responses of the people of Nice to a survey launched on social networks seem to go in the same direction. There are free services offered by the city of Nice. But “they are not necessarily well thought out”. Like the changing table in the green corridor, which is not next to a garbage can, or sports facilities.
If games for children are present (403 in 76 parks according to the town hall) as well as “sports equipment”, such as “ping-pong tables, rowers, bicycles”, “city stadiums” and facilities are missing. for urban sports. But overall, the people who responded are quite happy with what they can benefit from as residents of Nice. In other cities, like Lille, public toilets are really a central issue. Currently, only nine toilets are accessible.
“Since 2008, Christian Estrosi has wanted to anchor his action in improving the daily life of the people of Nice”, insists the municipality. Thus, the city “offers many free cultural events in the public space throughout the year” such as exhibitions “outside the walls”, all kinds of cultural representations, but also the mediabus and the mobile bib ‘which ” roam the neighborhoods every week in order to provide access to reading for all ”, develops the town. And, who knows: after the changing tables, maybe the parks of Nice will see the birth of connected barbecues, as in Rennes.