Park

1.

N. A. Ostrovsky Recreation and Culture Park
Выполнил: Инжеваткин Владимир Викторович

2.

The park is located in the Selmash district — a historically industrial and
residential area that is actively developing today. Its address can be
conveniently tied to Selmash Avenue: the park seems to “embrace” this street
and stretches deep into the green zone. Nearby are the Olimp‑2 Stadium,
residential blocks, and major transport hubs.
You can get here by various means: buses and minibuses regularly run along
the avenue, and the tram line makes the park accessible even without a car. For
pedestrians from nearby neighborhoods, walking to the park is already part of
the recreation: along shaded sidewalks, past familiar cityscapes, toward the
green massif. If you’re coming by bike or scooter, the park offers bike lanes and
convenient infrastructure.

3.

1894–1917 — Nakhichevan Racing Society Hippodrome
The park's history began in 1894. On the outskirts of the future park, a hippodrome of the Nakhichevan Racing Society was established. The grounds were well-equipped: a two-story society building, a grandstand, stables, and fencing. The newspaper Priazovsky
Krai mentioned the presence of totalizators, noting their negative impact. Thanks to horse races and betting, the society developed rapidly but disappeared after the Revolution.
1929–1937 — Balabanov Groves and the Advent of Amusement Rides
In 1929, amusement rides, a cinema, and grocery stalls appeared in the Balabanov Groves. The groves became the largest park zone in Rostov-on-Don. In 1931, the groves were divided into two parts: Proletarian Park of Culture and, in 1932, Sheboldayev Park. Alleys
were planted, and a fountain, a shooting gallery, a summer cinema, and a children's playground were built.
During these years, a sapling nursery, sports grounds, a parachute tower, and the O.Yu. Schmidt ground appeared. In 1937, Sheboldayev was repressed, and the park was renamed after Maria Ulyanova.
1940–1960 — Children's Railway and Recovery
History of Park
On November 9, 1940, the children's railway "Malaya Voroshilovskaya" opened, running through both parks. A depot and stations named after L. Kaganovich and "Depovskaya" were built. Before the war, the railway was very popular, but with its outbreak, the
equipment was evacuated to Tbilisi. The service resumed in 1946 on Railway Worker's Day, with new stations "Pobeda" (Victory), "Oboronnaya" (Defensive), and "Solnechnaya" (Sunny) added. In 1961, the railway was named after Yuri Gagarin.
The Balabanov Groves did not suffer significant damage during the war and recovered quickly. In 1946, the first post-war Victory Day celebration took place here, with over 1,500 schoolchildren and Young Pioneers participating.
1960s–1970s — Unification of the Parks and Cultural Flourishing
In the 1960s, the park zones were merged into a single park named after Nikolai Ostrovsky — the author of the novel How the Steel Was Tempered. During those years, the park was a center of culture and entertainment:
Children's railway
Young Firefighters' Friends station
Model aircraft ground
Tennis court and restaurants
Three cinemas (including "Kolos")
Library and chess ground
Two aircraft exhibits (AN-10 and a sports plane)
Dance floor with Kim Nazaretov's orchestra
Ferris wheel and other amusement rides
"Rostselmash" stadium with 32,000 seats
Swimming pool, "Planeta" club with a climbing wall
In the 1960s–70s, the park hosted spontaneous "gatherings" where one could buy jeans, vinyl records, and chewing gum.

4.

1972–1990s — Children’s Auto Town and Infrastructure Development
On April 29, 1972, a children’s auto town covering 3 hectares opened in the park. It featured training areas, traffic lights, road markings,
garages, and training cars. The Rostov Youth Automobile School operated on its premises. The park developed actively and remained a center
for children’s and family recreation.
2000–Present — Modern Culture and Recreation Park
Today, the N. Ostrovsky Park is a multifunctional cultural and recreational complex that organizes cultural, leisure, fitness, and wellness
activities.
A large amusement complex for all ages
Over 210 events held annually on the summer stage
5 children’s playgrounds and 3 sports zones (including exercise equipment)
38 leisure infrastructure facilities
Bicycle paths 1.5 km long, a dog area
The architectural composition “Solar Tree”
The park has become a hub for city festivals, masterclasses, and creative programs, bringing together residents of all generations.

5.

Nikolai Alekseevich Ostrovsky was a Soviet writer and the author of the novel How the Steel
Was Tempered, a work that became a symbol of resilience, strength of spirit, and service to
society for many generations. His life and work were closely tied to the idea of overcoming
difficulties and productive labor, and the novel itself was seen as a moral compass.
Renaming the park in the 1970s in honor of N. A. Ostrovsky emphasized this connection: the
recreation and culture park became a place where the values of labor, camaraderie, and an
active lifestyle found their embodiment. For local residents, Ostrovsky’s name gave the park
special meaning — it’s not just a place for walks, but a territory where you can feel part of a
larger urban community.

6.

The Green Heart of the District
The park covers 63.1 ha, and a large part of this area is a living green massif that acts as the
district’s “lungs.” It features century‑old trees, many of which are over 100 years old: they have
witnessed different eras and have become a natural part of the city’s history. Rare tree species
grow here, making it an interesting collection for specialists and nature lovers, and simply
beautiful, powerful trees for regular visitors — under their canopies it’s pleasant to walk even on
hot days.
Shaded alleys, wide paths, and natural areas with undergrowth create different recreation
scenarios: you can walk along a straight, even alley, enjoying the rhythm of the walk, or turn
onto a path where the city seems to recede and only the greenery, birdsong, and rustling
leaves remain. The park is designed so that it’s easy to find both lively zones and secluded
corners for quiet relaxation.

7.

Children’s Railway: A Little Transport in a Big Park
The Children’s Railway is one of the park’s most recognizable features. It covers part of the
park’s perimeter and looks like a real railway, only on a smaller scale: tracks, stations,
carriages, and even its own “engineers” among young participants. It’s not just an attraction but
also an educational project: children learn how a railway works, practice teamwork, and
understand how the transport system is organized.
For visitors, a ride on the Children’s Railway is a small adventure: the route passes by green
areas, alleys, and landmark spots of the park, allowing you to see the territory from a different
angle. Note that the railway may be under renovation: before your presentation, check its
current status so you don’t promise something that’s temporarily unavailable.

8.

For Kids and Teens
The park offers various formats of children’s leisure so that every child can find something they
enjoy. The Ostrich Farm is an opportunity to meet unusual birds: short tours, films, and
interactive activities make the encounter educational and fun.
Children’s playgrounds in the park are diverse: there are classic play zones with slides and
swings, as well as themed areas, such as those with models of Rostselmash agricultural
machinery — a nod to the district and factory’s history that turns an ordinary playground into a
mini‑museum in the open air.
Particularly popular is the gazebo with artificial mist: on hot days, it becomes a favorite spot for
children and parents — light coolness, water droplets, and a sense of a little miracle in the
middle of the park.

9.

Sports and Adventure
For fans of active recreation, the park features the Jungle Rope Park with 6 routes of varying
difficulty: from simple tracks for beginners to more challenging ones for experienced visitors. It’s
a great way to test yourself, feel the adrenaline, and enjoy the park from above.
Nearby, there’s an athletic zone and a workout area: horizontal bars, parallel bars, and other
equipment allow you to do street gymnastics and stay fit outdoors. The park’s bike lanes make
it convenient for cyclists, and the bike service helps with small practical needs — like inflating
tires or adjusting the seat.
Additionally, tennis courts, football fields, and the Olimp‑2 Stadium are located in or near the
park. This means the park isn’t just a recreation zone but also a full‑scale sports infrastructure
where training sessions, amateur matches, and city events take place.

10.

Monuments and Landmark Places
The park features objects that give it special meaning. The Solar Tree is an art installation and
simultaneously a solar‑powered weather station: it blends aesthetics and technology, showing
how contemporary art can be functional.
The Monument to the Communications Workers of the Don (2016) honors an important
profession and the contribution of communications workers to the region’s development. The
Monument to the Heroes of Donbass (2017) is a place of remembrance where citizens can pay
their respects.
Besides major monuments, the park has many small architectural forms: cozy gazebos,
themed benches, decorative arches, and signposts. They make walks more interesting and
help with navigation, and they also become backgrounds for photos and small family traditions.

11.

Thank you for your time and attention! I appreciate the opportunity
to present this material about Ostrovsky Park. I’d be happy to
answer any questions you may have.