"Inertia is the main factor in the whole situation." A stroll along the paths of Monte Urpinu is enough to understand that that phrase, uttered by an elderly park regular, perfectly encapsulates the sentiment shared by those who daily visit one of Cagliari's most beloved spots.

Families, runners, seniors, and students agree: "Monte Urpinu Park is no longer what it used to be."

Dry grass, old, often poorly maintained playground equipment. But also dead trees, fallen branches that have never been removed, and entire areas left to decay.

"It's a shadow of its former self," visitors say bitterly, recalling that many of the now dying trees were planted with public funds. "What we see," they add, "is the epitome of citizens' waste of money."

The reports are multiplying. For over three weeks, a water leak has been seeping through the trees, yet it hasn't been repaired. The small bridge connecting two areas of the park has been closed for over six months, awaiting repairs that haven't arrived. Meanwhile, children's playground equipment is disappearing: old ones are being removed and not replaced, while the remaining structures show obvious signs of wear.