Green lungs of the capital. The best parks in Kyiv. National Botanical Garden named after N. Grishko. Park of Partisan Glory
In the middle of the 20th century, Kyiv was known as one of the greenest cities in the world. “I have seen many parks in cities, but for the first time I see a city in a park,” is how, according to rumors, Charles de Gaulle reacted when he first came to Kyiv. Lennox Lewis also expressed his enthusiasm for the Ukrainian capital: “This is an amazing city - the trees in it grow higher than the houses!”. Many celebrities note how beautiful the parks of Kyiv are.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
Since then, unfortunately, much has changed for the worse. In the place of many green parks in Kyiv, through the fault of greedy developers, faceless skyscrapers and shopping centers have grown.
But in the city of Kiya there are still beautiful green places where you can take a break from the "aroma" and noise of the big city.
Today we will tell you about the best parks and forests in Kyiv.
Pushcha-Voditsa
One of the oldest forest areas. Back in the 11th century, the sounds of horns and the barking of dogs were heard here. It was local princes with warriors who went hunting.
The name of the forest and the village is derived from the "dense forest" - "Forest", and the name of the river Voditsa that no longer exists.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
At the end of the 19th century, after suburban recreation came into fashion instead of distant resorts, a holiday village was organized here. And in 1904, the first tram was put into operation.
Today there are more than 40 sanatoriums and rest houses.
After all, the local magical air, filled with ozone and pine aromas, is not inferior to the best resorts of Crimea in terms of healing effects.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
Koncha-Zaspa
A forest area on the opposite side of the City from Pushcha.
There are two legends about the origin of the name. The first tells about the Slavic heroes, on the eve of the appearance of the enemy, who woke up their brothers with the cry “stop sleeping!”. The second - nods at the fortified shaft "End of the backfill", erected during the war with the Commonwealth.
There are a lot of lakes here, including Koncha and Zaspa (another version of the name), rivers, flood meadows, relatively close to the Dnieper. Wealthy places. But there is a nuance.
Photo source: panoramio.com.
After the transfer of the capital of the Ukrainian SSR from Kharkov to Kyiv in 1934, Koncha-Zaspa was chosen by those in power. Government dachas crawled out of the ground like mushrooms after rain. Many kilometers of fences along the highway have become not uncommon, but, on the contrary, the rule.
After the collapse of the Union, the example of the nomenklatura was followed by new "masters of life". Today Koncha-Zaspa is one of the most expensive districts of the capital and suburbs.
But we are interested in these places not by the palaces of the modern "elite".
Dnieper bays, pine-oak forest, transparent lakes, flowering meadows - these are the advantages of Koncha-Zaspa. And although "thanks" to the extensive development, you will no longer see that "early" beauty, these forests and meadows still remain one of the most charming in the country.
How to get there: metro Vydubychi, buses towards Kozin.
Vladimirskaya Gorka
Khreschaty park and its neighbors
A whole chain of parks on the slopes of Slavutych, smoothly flowing one into another. . . . . . .
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
The first two are ennobled, well-groomed and overflowing with places of cultural recreation. with trolley and rides. , And . Dynamo Stadium, and.
As you move away from the citadel of power, the parks become more wild. But no less interesting. Askold's grave - the mystical Green Theater and narrow alleys over the Dnieper itself. Eternal Glory - Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Pechersky -,. Navodnitsky -.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
Walk, don't walk.
How to get there: metro station "Independence Square", "Arsenalnaya".
Trukhanov island
450 hectares of forest and clean air, named after the Polovtsy Tugorkhan, the father of the wife of Prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavich, who built a residence for his wife on the island (you see, he loved it very much).
In the 19th century, it began to be actively used by the people of Kiev for out-of-town recreation. They went here by boat (there was no bridge yet), families for the whole day.
Soon a steam mill and ship repair workshops were built here. In parallel, overcoming the terrible resistance of the city authorities, they built a settlement for workers, which lasted right up to 1943, when it was burned by the Germans.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
In 1918, the ancestors of the Fritz, who destroyed the village in 1943, organized the first open public beach.
The idea caught on. And how!
And after 1957, when it was erected, Trukhanov completely turned into the favorite vacation spot of the townspeople.
It remains so to this day.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
Long beaches (including the Central), the lake, the inlets of the Dnieper and the Desenka River. Lots of trees, cozy meadows and secluded clearings. Paradise, both for outdoor enthusiasts and for fans of lazy tanning.
How to get there: metro station "Independence Square", "Post Square".
Park of Friendship of Peoples
It was created in the early 70s of the 20th century, in the Chertoriy tract. The main part is divided into zones, including a memorial one, with 15 species of plants, as a sign of friendship between the republics of the USSR (oh, there was a time!), beach, children's and sports.
Hydropark
This area on two islands, located next to Trukhanov, largely repeated the fate of its neighbor.
In the 19th century, the future Hydropark became home to the workers of the factory for the manufacture and repair of artillery pieces (later Arsenal). They settled in the bridgehead settlement, named after the location in front of the Nikolaevsky chain bridge. Burnt down in 1943.
The Hydropark acquired its modern look in 1965–1968, when it was solemnly opened on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Photo source: kati.com.ua.
365 hectares filled with forests, attractions, sports fields, and an insane amount of cafes.
It is also known for the gym, built by lovers of a sports lifestyle for their hard-earned money, a lot of beaches (including for children), and a large number of vacationers. However, this is not a problem of any Hydropark.
How to get there: Hydropark metro station.
N. Grishko National Botanical Garden
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
How to get there: Pecherskaya metro station, 14th trolleybus.
Goloseevsky Park. M. Rylsky
In 1957, in the northern part of the heavily damaged during the wars and revolution, but still vast Goloseevsky forest, a beautiful forest was organized. The emeralds that brought him in 1960 the title of "monument of garden and park art of republican significance" were a cascade of four ponds and a successful alternation of plots of a regular style, planted with Cossack juniper, arborvitae, willow and spruce, with natural (landscape) plots - oak, birch, maple.
In 1964, the park was named after the poet Maxim Rylsky, who died that year and lived on the outskirts of the park.
Now there is a boat station, a lot of pedestrian and bicycle paths, children's and sports grounds, attractions and cafes at your service.
Photo source: stezhkamu.com.
And most importantly - a stone's throw from the green bulk of the Goloseevsky forest, adjacent to the other side, and a little further almost reaching the Dnieper.
Two monasteries, the font of the Spaso-Preobrazhenskaya desert, the National complex "Expocenter of Ukraine" were lost in the forest.
As well as hidden places in the depths, where the foot of a person rarely steps.
Park of Partisan Glory
A piece of the Nikolsky forest, allocated in 1965 for the development of a regional park of culture and recreation. Five years later, he, named after the partisans who fought in World War II, was already receiving visitors. Six zones are equipped here, the central of which is a memorial one - with a museum, partisan dugouts and other attributes of the life of the people's avengers.
Photo source: uklon.com.ua.
Also of the highlights can be called a track for running and cycling. Rope park, just created for active recreation with the whole family. As many as 700 meters of rope trails for all ages. And, of course, more than 100 hectares of greenery, dozens of meadows, fountains and a couple of lakes.
How to get there: Art. metro station "Borispolskaya", to Slavgorodskaya street, 54.
Green places of the capital. The best parks in Kyiv. The woody sea, which gives you the opportunity to relax your soul from the frantic rhythms of modern society, enjoy the fresh air and the singing of birds...
Simply allowing us to live.
Photo by Yuri Perebaev.
Trees help people and it is our responsibility to take care of them. Moderate the appetites of those who, thinking only about momentary profit, strive to lime another square in the bud. Plant new seedlings and do not spoil those that are already growing.
Otherwise, only a memory will remain of life on earth.
HOW TO GET TO: Art. Metro Kyiv
ADDRESS: Moscow, From the railway station across the crystal bridge.
This metropolitan park is located right next to the Kyiv metro station. You go out through any exit, and before you opens a magnificent view of the European Fountain, which is located on Europe Square. We head towards it and climb onto the translucent bridge. By the way, it is called "crystal" and is unusual in itself.
After the bridge, you need to turn left, go down a narrow, inconspicuous path and continue along it. On the way, a large number of benches appear, deployed to the Moscow River. In this place you need to spend some time and feel its atmosphere.
Your path began at the ring metro station, among the hustle and bustle of people, where people are simply invisible, next to the market with its usual confusion. And now, after that - suddenly a "paradise".
Relax on the benches, they are located quite high, which allows you to admire a wonderful view: barges floating along the river, skyscrapers of Moscow City.
Have a rest? You can go back. It is better to return just through the "crystal" bridge. It has a balcony. If you are not afraid of heights, be sure to stand on the edge.
At night, the bridge glows from the inside, which will add positive emotions to you. After the bridge, do not go straight to the subway, take a walk near the fountain. Go to the grocery store located nearby and buy something to eat, then you will not need to buy expensive at the station. The park near the Kyiv metro station is cozy in itself, but not very quiet - the station, after all.
In the evening, romantic couples like to gather here. And don't be "greedy", be sure to tell your friends and family about this place. Joy just needs to be shared.
To actively relax and have fun with friends, visit Gorky Park or the Stunt Base - it is just a short walk from Kievskaya. And just one metro station is the Moscow Zoo - a good option where to go to the shop. Well, after that you can slowly walk to the Old Arbat.
Many of us like to walk in the parks, breathing fresh air and enjoying the beautiful natural corners and panoramas of the city. Therefore, for the people of Kiev and guests of the city, I decided to make list of Kyiv parks, suitable for such walks. The list will be in the form of a rating compiled according to my preferences. And we will start with the park that I like the most ...
Address: st. Three Saints
A beautiful hilly park with wonderful panoramas of the Dnieper, the left bank, Podil and Obolon. It houses the famous Kiev monument to Vladimir.
Nearby are:
- Funicular
- Andrew's Descent
- St. Michael's Cathedral
- European area
Address: st. Vladimirskaya and bul. Shevchenko.
Rectangular park in the heart of the city. Cozy, clean and beautiful place to walk. Nearby is the red building of the Kyiv National University. Taras Shevchenko. In the park itself there is a monument to Shevchenko, as well as a curious monument with a boy and the Black Sea. An excellent and very popular playground has been built for children.
Address: European Square
Parks that smoothly flow into one another and offer magnificent panoramas to the left bank of the Dnieper. They are considered the most romantic parks in Kyiv. In them you can find:
- bridge of lovers
- Mariinsky Palace
- Puppet show
- Stadium them. Lobanovsky
- The Verkhovna Rada
- Peoples' Friendship Arch
4. VDNH
Address: Akademika Glushkov Ave., 1
The most excellent park area of the Expocentre of Ukraine (former VDNKh). You are guaranteed a walk through a large area among the pavilions built in the “Stalinist” style. One of my favorite places!
The peculiarity of this park is that it passes into the Goloseevsky forest. The park has a small karting center, a lake and a playground.
Address: st. January Uprising, descent behind the Lavra (if you go from the metro station Arsenalnaya)
A place where a beautiful flower exhibition is held annually on Independence Day. This park is located on the slopes of the right bank. You will walk on it up and down. Nearby are the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and the complex of the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War.
7. Nivki
Address: Pobedy avenue, 82
Nice, solid park with lakes. Located between st.m. Nyvky and st.m. Beresteyskaya.
Address: st.m. Arsenalnaya
A picturesque place covered with mysterious legends about the murder of Askold and Dir.
It stretches from the Patona bridge to the metro station. Dnieper along the embankment. A good place for walking, providing views of the left bank, as well as proximity to the Dnieper. The famous Kiev monument “Kiy, Shchek, Khoriv and Lybid” is located in the park, which had to be reconstructed after the fault this winter.
Address: Dneprovskiy descent
Military themed park. On its territory there is a 26-meter obelisk - the Monument of Eternal Glory. A wide alley with 34 graves of soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War leads to it. From here, picturesque views of the left bank of Kyiv and the islands of the Dnieper open.
Address: st. Heroes of Sevastopol
The park on Borshchagovka, which was reconstructed and embellished 2 years ago. In it you can find a stone with an inscription that one of the sources of the Lybid River originates from here. The park also has a lake and a playground. Nearby is the Museum of National Architecture and Life.
Address: st.m. Polytechnical Institute
Favorite student park in Kyiv. It is notable for the fact that it is quite easy to find and feed squirrels there. Located opposite the zoo.
Address: Pobedy Ave., 40
Another student park. The fact is that nearby is the National Medical University. Bogomolets. At the entrance to the park there is a monument to A.S. Pushkin.
Address: st.m. Dorohozhychi
Quite a large park with a playground, which pleases the residents of the Syrets microdistrict. I once lived on Syrets and visited this park several times.
Address: st.m. Hydropark
The most controversial park in Kyiv. On the one hand, there are beautiful views of the right bank of the city, a large forested area, and beaches. On the other hand, there are a lot of disgusting eateries, alcoholics and homeless people all around. This park clearly needs a revolutionary change.
Other parks in Kyiv
I didn’t have enough strength to describe all the parks. Therefore, I add the rest to this post in the form of a list:
- Syretsky Guy (st. Stetsenko)
- Kyoto (Kyoto street)
- Kurenevsky Park (Frunze St.)
- Feofaniya (street academician Lebedev)
- Youth (pr. 50th anniversary of October)
- Park International (street Toulouse)
- Eaglet (Blvd. Lepse)
- Christer Park (Osipovsky St.)
- Teremki Park (Yakubovsky St.)
- Pervomaisky Park (Umanskaya St.)
- Desnyansky Park (Theodore Dreiser St.)
- Victory Park (Zhmachenko St.)
I hope that this post will help you somehow navigate the variety of Kyiv park areas. Get outdoors more often!
In Moscow, near the Kievskaya metro station, there is a park overlooking the European Fountain, located on Europe Square. The park opens before your eyes from any exit from the station. You can see the park with different eyes from the river, which will make it possible to make a wonderful yacht-restaurant in Moscow for city guests and Muscovites. After walking through the park, everyone will want to climb the Crystal Bridge - an unusual translucent structure.
If you turn left behind the bridge, you will notice a barely noticeable narrow path. 
After walking along it, on the way there will be a lot of shops deployed "face" to the Moscow River. You should definitely stay here for some time to feel the atmosphere of this place.
Literally just now we were crowding at the station, among people, noise and hustle, where there is nowhere for an apple to fall, and next to it is a market with the usual hustle and bustle of people back and forth. After all this, suddenly - comfort and peace, right in the middle of the metropolis. 
The benches are placed high enough to be able to admire the view of the river surface, passing barges and the tall skyscrapers of Moscow City. Returning back, it is better to go the same way, through the Crystal Bridge, which, by the way, has a balcony. Be sure to stand on the edge of the balcony and look at the landscape.
With the onset of darkness, the bridge lights up from the inside with lights, which will only embellish eco-tourism in Moscow. 
After the bridge, you can first take a walk near the fountain, go to a store not far from here and buy something to eat, because at the station the same products are more expensive. Now you can head to the metro station. In the meantime, couples in love and tired Muscovites who want to take a walk after work will begin to fill the park near the Kievskaya metro station.
