Ta’ Qali’s once-green picnic area has now been unofficially christened “Jason Park” on Google Maps, in what appears to be a not-so-subtle jab at Jason Micallef, the official overseeing the site’s controversial redevelopment.While the name change has no official standing, it speaks volumes about public anger surrounding the €300,000 project, which many now see as a textbook example of how not to “regenerate” a public space.The area at Ta’ Qali, long valued as a shaded green escape for families and picnickers, was stripped of its grass and replaced with gravel and sand. Micallef had insisted the grass would grow back once rain arrived, a claim that has aged poorly. Months later, the site remains dry, dusty and largely unusable, becoming the subject of relentless mockery online. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)What began as disappointment quickly escalated into outrage. Memes flooded social media, petitions gained traction, and now even map edits are being used to express public disapproval, a clear sign that frustration has spilled far beyond comment sections.Anger intensified further after revelations that the gravel used in the project was imported from Greece without a public tender and without the necessary permits. Critics argue the process lacked transparency and accountability, while the end result has visibly degraded one of Malta’s most beloved open spaces, all under the banner of “improvement”.The appearance of “Jason Park” on Google Maps may be unofficial, but for many, it perfectly captures how the project is now viewed: a costly intervention that erased greenery, ignored public sentiment, and turned a picnic spot into a punchline.What do you think, fair criticism, or has the backlash gone too far?•