8 cool public spaces in Russia you haven't heard of yet

1. "Waves of Agidel", Agidel

Once in the center of this small Bashkir town there was a school football field, a kindergarten and a fountain. Over time, the area has become a common place for walking. But not very convenient: there was no lighting and landscaping, and grass grew through the broken paving stones of the paths.

Changes to this territory came in 2021. Its name is well known to local residents: this is the name of the traditional festival of national cultures, which has been held in the city since 2001. The “waves of Agidel” are also reflected in the design of the space: the pattern of tiles and paths, flower beds, trash cans, sheds - everything refers to the image of an energetic and raging river.

The territories were filled with objects suitable for different types of recreation. There are fiber-reinforced concrete benches and pergolas, a playground for sports, an interactive educational area for family weekends and paths with smart lighting.

2. Embankment "Say Pan", Beloyarsky

The modern embankment near the Kazym River was opened in 2020. Before that, the place was almost empty: the unformed shore was diluted only by a boat stop. Now wooden paths have been laid along the river, a barbecue area has been organized by the water, gazebos and sun loungers have been set up, children's and sports grounds and a rope park have been designed.

The coastal territory has also turned into a cool public space, in the design of which the architects tried to include as many national elements and historical and cultural Easter eggs as possible. For example, the “Colors of the North” platform with multi-colored plates recalls the northern lights, the scene on the “Yahakhty Syty” square is a shaman tambourine, and the Torum gazebo refers to the mythology of the Khanty and Mansi. There is also a whole open-air ethnographic museum on the embankment. And next to it is the modern eco-center "Nuvi at", the image of which refers to several traditional forms at once - a conical plague and a long boat oblas.

3. AquaDon Park, Donskoy

A couple of years ago, on the territory near two city ponds in Donskoy, few people would have dared to take a walk. Here one could only find overgrown paths, a dilapidated horizontal bar, a bent metal frame of a pontoon and a faded “No Swimming” sign.

Now the space looks very different. At the end of 2022, a modern AquaDon park with the concept of "Oasis inside the city" was opened here. One reservoir was cleaned and supplied with a bioplato - a system of plants that improve water quality. A comfortable beach area was designed nearby: sun loungers, changing rooms and showers were installed. Another pond was made decorative: walking paths were laid around it, hammocks for relaxation and a stage with an amphitheater were placed.

The park also has a playground, a beach volleyball field, swings, an interactive fountain, a cafe and a long gazebo area. Flamingos have become the unspoken symbol of AquaDon: birds are on the walls of buildings, and the pink shade of their plumage was used as an accent color in the design.

4. Embankment "Coast of Three Seas", Taman

The shore of the Taman village turned into a cool public space in 2022. The territory was divided into three functional zones, in each of which they tried to emphasize the rich history of this place. For example, the area with its architecture refers to the Greek policies. Its main features are a stage with an amphitheater built into the hill, and a two-meter Hermonassa art object, which combines different historical names of Taman.

A light-dynamic fountain, walking paths, bike paths, sports equipment, sheds, round swings and a playground in the shape of a ship were installed on the embankment. The latter emphasizes the port history of the village. The beach was equipped with sun loungers, awnings, changing rooms, showers and a volleyball court.

5. Park and Square "Golden Age", the village of Levokumskoye

Cool public spaces don't just happen in cities. And the village of Levokumskoye is a living proof of this. The center of the settlement remained neglected for a long time and therefore was not popular with the inhabitants. But in 2021, the situation has changed, and now people come here even from neighboring settlements to take a walk. Recreation areas for different ages have been created here. For children there is a rope park, a playground and an interactive fountain. For young people - playgrounds for mini-football, tennis, basketball and workout. For the elderly - gazebos for board games, a playground with outdoor exercise equipment and a mini-golf course.

The project of the public space was closely discussed with the residents. For example, the older generation asked for a quieter area, so the Golden Age Square was designed for them.

But there is also entertainment here that will appeal to everyone. For example, walking paths. They were made thematic: walking along the paths, you can see sculptures with the heroes of the works of Russian classics, for example, the head of Chernomor and the grotto with the Demon. Now local competitions of readers and literary evenings are held there.

6. Ethnopark "Dyukcha", Magadan

Until recently, few people ventured to walk in this part of Magadan. Once upon a time, the territory near the shore of Gertner Bay was an industrial zone: unfinished buildings, fragments of concrete structures and fittings were left as a legacy. At the same time, the place has great potential: there is a forest nearby, a view of the bay and the tops of the hills. Therefore, the opening of a public space in this territory suggested itself. And in 2022, an ethnographic park appeared here.

Now it is used both as a space for recreation and as a venue for holidays and festivals. The design of the objects inside refers to the history and culture of the north: for example, traditional ornaments are applied to the coatings, and plagues stand along the paths. Pavilions for master classes, including bone carving, were also placed inside.

7. Alexander Nevsky Square, Yegoryevsk

The square and the territory adjacent to it is the historical center of Yegorievsk. There are monuments from different eras: Bardygin's house, Dudochkin's house, Kabanov's tavern, a kitchen factory building, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The Guslitsa River is located nearby. Once this place was the hallmark of the city, but since the middle of the 20th century, the territory has lost its significance and become empty.

It was decided to return the status of the main point of Yegoryevsk to the square several years ago. And in 2021, the public space was officially opened. The territory was paved with tiles, benches and modern lighting were installed, trees and shrubs were planted, and a lawn was laid out. A monument to Nikifor Bardygin, a merchant and former head of the city, appeared next to the cathedral, and Alexander Nevsky on Sovetskaya Street. There is also parking for bicycles.

But the Guslitsa embankment has changed most noticeably. Now there are sun loungers and picnic tables, a multi-level bench resembling an art object, and separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

8. "Garden Town", Bolkhov

Bolkhov Central Park is located next to two city attractions - the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Church. There were recreation areas on its territory before, but in a deplorable state: the space was decorated with obsolete children's slides and swings, a broken wooden bench with a rusty canopy and a dance floor with a stage covered with graffiti.

The appearance and concept of the park has changed in 2021. Now it consists of two thematic zones: "Garden-Gorodok" - a calm, peaceful area for walks in nature, and Lenin Square - a place for communication, festivals and holidays. In the design of all the objects of the park, wood was mainly used: a new playground, a stage, sheds with swings were created from it. Mobile benches have also been placed on the territory. During city events, they are easy to transfer to the dance floor so that older guests can enjoy the holidays without standing on their feet.

The belfry has become a unique object of the Garden-Gorodok. It was installed specifically for the bell ringing festivals. It is located away from residential buildings so that the sound does not interfere with the comfort of citizens.