Lesopark Jiřího Potůčka

Lesopark Jiřího Potůčka is a small forest park in the Trnová district of Pardubice that combines two very different roles – a memorial site honouring a hero of the Czechoslovak wartime resistance, and a public playground and recreation area for nearby residents. The entrance is from Bartoňova street, and the fenced park is free to enter during its posted opening hours.

Who is the park named after?

The park is named after Jiří Potůček, known by his codename "Tolar" – the radio operator of the Silver A parachute group, sent from Britain into occupied Czechoslovakia during the Second World War. Potůček was born on 12 July 1919 and was killed fighting German occupying forces on 2 July 1942, near the spot where his memorial now stands. He was one of the first Czech paratroopers to take part in the wireless-communication missions coordinated with the Czechoslovak government-in-exile in London.

What does the memorial look like, and what stands around it?

The centrepiece of the park is a stone memorial with a plaque commemorating Jiří Potůček's death. The memorial site was reconstructed in 2011, when new stones bearing the names of his fellow Silver A comrades were added. Standing freely elsewhere in the park are three further memorial stones dedicated to other figures of the Czechoslovak resistance, including Jan Kubiš and Jozef Gabčík of the Anthropoid group, known for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich. Together, the site functions as a shared memorial to several of the parachute operations launched from Britain during the war.

What else can visitors find here besides the history?

Beyond its historical layer, Lesopark Jiřího Potůčka is above all a working recreation area. It has a children's playground with swings and slides, pull-up bars and other outdoor gym equipment, a pétanque court, and a large sports field with an artificial surface used for team games. The park also has a fenced dog run, making it a popular gathering spot for dog owners from the surrounding Trnová neighbourhood. The whole area is set among trees, making it suitable both for a short walk and for a longer rest in the shade.

Who is this park for?

The forest park mainly draws local residents of Pardubice – families with children using the playground, people exercising on the outdoor gym equipment or playing pétanque, and visitors interested in twentieth-century history who want to see a site connected to Czechoslovak military intelligence operations during the Second World War. It's an unusual example of a place where the memory of events more than eighty years old coexists, day to day, with the noise of children playing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is Lesopark Jiřího Potůčka located? The park is in the Trnová district of Pardubice, with its entrance from Bartoňova street.

Who was Jiří Potůček? He was the radio operator of the Silver A parachute group, active during the Second World War. He was killed fighting German occupying forces on 2 July 1942, near the site of his present-day memorial.

Is the park just a memorial, or is there anything for children? It combines both roles – alongside the memorial and its commemorative stones, the park has swings, slides, outdoor gym equipment, a pétanque court and a large sports field.

Is entry to the park free? Yes, entry is free, though the park is fenced and only accessible during opening hours, which vary by season.

Can I bring my dog to the park? Yes, the park has a dedicated dog run.