1. Embankment and park near the Bobrinsky Palace, Bogoroditsk
The palace is the main attraction of the city. Built it was built in the 18th century by order of Catherine II: the empress wanted to create a domain for her illegitimate son, Count Alexei Bobrinsky. In 1918 the palace turned to the museum and is still in this status. Inside you can look not only at the personal belongings of the count’s family and interiors, but also at works of art. And from the windows of the building there is a panoramic view of the city, park and embankment. The palace itself and the surrounding area have recently been updated: work on the transformation has been carried out since 2012.
Repairing the dam and cleaning the city pond have long been a challenge. But in 2019–2020 they were also improved. Now you can walk along the dam, thanks to which it was possible to connect the estate with the city. A wooden amphitheater, shade canopies with swings, and chess tables appeared along the water line. A sports and children’s playground was installed on the embankment. They also installed new lighting and video surveillance – it’s comfortable to be here even in the evening.
2. City center with fairgrounds, Zaraysk
You can start your walk at the water tower, an architectural monument of the early 20th century. Now at its top located observation deck, and exhibitions are held inside. To highlight the tower, a contrasting coating of white marble chips and red slabs to match the brick was laid around. A children’s playground and ping-pong tables were installed nearby. The Krasnoarmeyskaya street adjacent to the tower has also been completely transformed. Swings and benches appeared on it, and along the historical shopping arcades of the 18th century there was a platform for fairs and walks.
After the changes, entrepreneurs became interested in the historical part of the city. They bought houses that were empty. Several cafes and restaurants, hotels, a cheese factory with a store appeared on Krasnoarmeyskaya Street. They opened a gingerbread shop where they sell treats with various additives and conduct baking master classes. Several more buildings are under reconstruction; they plan to open a museum and art space in them.
The center of Zaraysk has been transformed thanks to the city’s residents. They supported him in the All-Russian vote for improvement projects, which takes place under the national project “Housing and urban environment” As part of it, they offer to choose a park, embankment, playground or other public space that needs to be built or transformed. You can support your city from March 15 to 17 in person at voting centers. On platforms There will be improvement volunteers who will show projects and explain how to leave a voice.
Improvement of public spaces is one of the objectives of the “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment” program. It was created in 2017, and since 2019 it has been part of the national project “Housing and urban environment” During the existence of the program, 111 thousand places in Russia have been transformed.
3. Park of Culture and Leisure named after Dmitry Popov, Salair
The park was founded in the 1950s. By the end of the 2010s, it became clear that it needed reconstruction. The restoration project was discussed with the residents of Salair: it took into account the wishes and memories of the townspeople. Using old photos, they recreated the fountain, rotunda, dance floor and bronze figures. Modern elements were also added to the space, for example, a children’s play complex, a workout room and a sports ground for people with disabilities. We also thought through seasonal changes, for example, the shape of the dance floor allows it to be turned into a skating rink in winter. Three eight-meter blue spruce trees and white hydrangeas were also planted.
At the same time, the Palace of Culture was restored – money was allocated by Kuzbass coal miners. Now the architectural monument in the style of Soviet neoclassicism and the park form a single ensemble. After renovation, the site became the main place for celebrating Miner’s Day.
4. Square near the Kremlin and Moskvoretskaya embankment, Kolomna
This tourist route appeared several years ago. It begins in a small park near the Kolomna Kremlin, a fortification from the 16th century. Benches appeared on its territory and a sidewalk made of clinker bricks was laid. Then the route passes through the Gagarin square. Pedestrian paths were laid there, taking into account the trees and shrubs already growing on the territory.
The final point is Moskvoretskaya embankment, which offers panoramic views of the Moscow River and the city. It was paved with tiles, and wooden pontoons were placed near the shore on which you can walk. When creating the route, the needs of people with disabilities and the elderly were taken into account, and therefore it was equipped with smooth descents and places to rest.
At the same time, they cleaned up the place where several years ago they found the foundation of the Alexander Nevsky Chapel, destroyed in 1924. It was covered with glass, and a bridge and an observation deck made of lattice were installed at the top so that everyone could see the landmark. A similar project became first in the Moscow region.
5. Lenin Square, Serpukhov
In the Russian Empire, Serpukhov was one of the main producers and exporters of canvas. Lenin Square was called Torgovaya Square because textiles and household items were sold there. In 2020, the space was made more modern. At the same time, the city’s history was taken into account in the improvement project; for example, the central shade canopy was designed in the form of a fold of fabric. In addition, the square’s pedestrian paths have been expanded and a space for events has been created.
The changes also affected four nearby parks. There was a recreation area, a children’s playground and a small stage for performances. Car passages and parking areas have been streamlined on the territory. We also improved pedestrian zones and took into account the needs of people with disabilities. After reconstruction, the area is popular not only with residents, but also with city guests. Compared to 2018, the number of tourists in Serpukhov increased by 2.5 times.
6. Krivyakino Estate Park, Voskresensk
Krivyakino is an old estate of the late 18th – early 19th centuries. In the Moscow region, this is one of the few attractions of this type, which is located right in the city center. When landscaping the park, we were based on the plan of a classic noble estate. It now has entrance lobbies, gazebos and rotundas, and a greenhouse. The area was decorated with benches and other small architectural forms inspired by manor interiors.
A children’s playground and a stage with space for dancing were installed in the park, and ponds from the 18th century were restored. Visitors can relax by the fountain, the jets of which come out of the ground, stroll along the pedestrian route, and spend time in the gazebo with swings. In addition, the park has a chess club and areas for master classes. Thanks to such changes, the number of tourists who come to Krivyakino has increased significantly: in 2018, 30 thousand people visited the estate, and in 2022 – more than 400 thousand.
Public spaces where residents can relax, walk with children and enjoy nature are important not only for megacities and tourist centers. Therefore, in the All-Russian vote for the selection of improvement objects of the national project “Housing and urban environment» Cities with different populations participate, and all regions of the country are represented. But you can only support the spaces of your locality. Thanks to the project, more than 65 thousand places for walking and recreation have already been created or renovated in Russia. And in 2024, it is planned to add another 6.5 thousand public spaces to them, everyone has a chance to influence the choice of which. Any resident of Russia over 14 years old can participate.
7. Central Square, Yasnogorsk
Yasnogorsk is a small town in the Tula region. You can visit it as part of a trip to Tula itself: the journey from the regional center by train will take about 20–40 minutes. In 2023, the central square in Yasnogorsk was renewed. An area for events appeared there, a stage was built with parklet steps on which you can relax. They installed a fountain with dynamic lighting, swings and stands with historical photographs of the city and its inhabitants, and laid out a pedestrian alley. Flower beds were also laid out on the square, and modular seats with wireless charging and decorative lighting were added along their perimeter. In March, Maslenitsa festivities are planned to be held on the territory.
In Yasnogorsk you can also visit the local history museum, whose collection includes presented, for example, the works of the artist Fyodor Nesterov, a student of Ilya Repin. Plus, there is a hall from the Soviet period with an exhibition that replicates the interior of an apartment from the 50s to the 70s.