Description of the attraction
The Park of Culture and Leisure is one of the natural corners of the city of Almaty.
The park in the Medeu district was founded in 1856 by the famous scientist-gardener G. Krishtopenko, as a resting place for the officers of the Vernensky garrison. At that time, it was called the "State Garden" and had an area of more than 100 hectares. A gardener with extensive experience in Crimea planted the first coniferous and deciduous trees in the garden. Especially for this, he invited gardening lovers Sergeev, Chvanov and Kutaberdin. Having studied in detail the structure of the soil and the climatic conditions of this area, gardeners came to the conclusion that, in addition to Central Asian plants, species that are characteristic of Central Russia can grow in the Kazenny Garden.
In 1868, seeds and seedlings of trees were delivered to the city of Verny from Tashkent, the Penza School of Gardening and the Nikitsky Botanical Garden. In 1874 the gardener Krishtopenko transferred the management of the Treasury Garden to the brother of the famous Vernensky forester E. Baum - Karl. It was he who made the park a place for festivities.
The main goal of the "State Garden" was the cultivation of ornamental and fruit plants, vegetables, the creation of apiaries and more. In 1869-1875, a greenhouse, flower gardens, a nursery appeared on the territory of the park, and thanks to Baum's initiative, a small gardening school was opened. Later, kitchens and a buffet were equipped in the park, a dance floor, gazebos were built, a yurt for billiards and play tables were installed, alleys were landscaped.
In 1934, a reconstruction was carried out in the Park of Culture and Leisure, during which recreation centers for workers were built on the banks of the reservoir, attractions were launched, and a little later a zoo was opened. Initially, the park bore the name of A. M. Gorky, which he received in 1935.
At present, the total area of the Park of Culture and Rest of the city of Almaty is only 42 hectares. On its territory there are various cafes, a dinopark, children's attractions, summer and winter water parks, a children's railway, sports grounds, and boat rental stations.
In 2004, the private trade and financial company "Altyn Taraz" became the owner of the park. After that, the large lake was dried up, a modern water park appeared instead of a small lake, and an asphalt parking lot was built on the site of the felled old oak trees.
