Undoubtedly, for the residents and guests of the “city on the Neva”, the Park TsPKiO (St. Petersburg) is a favorite place for leisure activities. This object in the summertime as if magnet attracts a walk among the shady alleys, take a boat trip, admiring the unique natural landscapes. In winter, the Park TsPKiO (St. Petersburg) invites you to go ice skating, skiing and sledding, wander through the squares in the evening, admiring the bright and colorful illumination. In general, here you can find entertainment to the liking of not only adults, but also children.
History tour
Previously, the territory where the recreation area is located today was called Mishin Island. One of the legends says that Russian soldiers were looking for Swedes here, but they found a bear. The first owner of these lands was the diplomat P. Shafirov, then the prosecutor general P. Yaguzhinsky became the owner.
But co-owner of Mishin Island was also Senator A. Melgunov, who built an estate for himself here and created a small park zone. Then the land was sold to Field Marshal G. Potemkin, and some time later it was ceded to its historian and poet I. Elagin. He built a palace ensemble with greenhouses, pavilions, buildings and gazebos. In addition, the clerk ordered to dig ponds and canals on the island, and along the shores pour shafts 2 meters high. This was done in order to protect the park from floods. The island was called Elaginsky and everyone began to visit it. After the death of the poet, the land repeatedly changed owners, passing from hand to hand.
Opening
Of course, St. Petersburg has a huge number of squares and green areas for recreation. CPKiO - this is a place of pastime where you want to return again and again.
At the beginning of the 30s of the last century on the territory of three islands - Elagin, Krestovoy and Kamenny, in the Neva Delta, it was decided to equip a recreation area for St. Petersburgers. The palace and park complex of Elagin was transformed into the Central Park of Culture and Culture. But before that, some preparatory work had been done: the walking platforms located next to the Elagin estate were partially modernized, and arches and propylae were erected at three bridges along which you could reach the island.
The alleys were decorated with colorful posters, and the palace was decorated with banners and flags. Of course, this object has become unique for such a cultural city as St. Petersburg. CPKiO opened in a festive atmosphere on August 5, 1932. Residents and guests of the “city on the Neva” walked around the summer pavilions, rode bicycles rented here, visited the rides and rushed to the hammock station with pleasure, where they could relax in the fresh air. In winter, Petersburgers came to Yelagin Island specifically to go skating and skiing.
CPKiO in the Soviet years
In 1934, under mysterious circumstances, the communist S. Kirov was killed and the park on the island was named in his honor. A bust of a revolutionary was installed at the main entrance. In the second half of the 30s, the authorities decided to continue the modernization of the recreation area on Elagin Island in the city of Leningrad, which today is called St. Petersburg. The Central Park of Artists and Entrepreneurs underwent the following changes: from the Oil Meadow to the western arrow, the Main Alley was equipped, and the arrow itself was decorated with a granite terrace, on which lion statues mounted on pedestals towered. In the winter season, the Main Alley transformed into a long ice track, and Maslyany Meadow turned into a skating rink. In summer, the Main Avenue was decorated with flower beds and lawns.
In this zone, decorative vases of marble and bronze sculptures were also mounted: “The Girl Crossing the Stream”, “Discus Ball” and “Dancer”. In addition, the park administration took care of creating new alleys and erecting a summer theater with a capacity of 1,600 people. But that was not all. They also built a cinema (not preserved to this day) and a sports town.
The Great Patriotic War caused serious and irreparable damage to the city of St. Petersburg. CPKiO became the place where defensive fortifications were erected, and the object was significantly damaged by bombing. After the victory, it took decades to restore the former appearance of the park. Restoration work was completed only in the early 90s.
CPKiO today
Currently, residents and guests of the northern capital, as before, prefer to spend their leisure time here. Where do tourists go when they come to St. Petersburg? CPKiO named after Kirov, of course. And what can surprise this object today? To many. You can visit the music pavilion, the pavilion of Granite Marina, the Stable Building, the Kitchen Building, the Greenhouse, the variety theater and, of course, the Elaginoostrovsky Palace. The latter is considered a real masterpiece of domestic architecture.
Currently, it houses a museum of arts and crafts and interior design.
On the territory of the Elaginsky island there is a huge number of cozy cafes, there is a volleyball court, boat station, tennis court.
In December 2012, a restored mini-zoo began its work on the territory of the Central Park of Culture and Health of St. Petersburg (address: 190068 Yelagin Island, d. 4). Guests could personally see red and yellow pheasants, guinea fowl, turkeys, chicken-brahma and other exotic representatives of the fauna.
Park in winter
When snow falls and the water on the street turns into ice, not everyone knows where to go ice skating and sledding in such a big city as St. Petersburg. TsPKiO im.Kirov - this is just the perfect place for this. For lovers of outdoor activities in winter, an ice rink is specially organized here. In the evening, Yelagina Island is especially beautiful: light garlands adorn the Stables Building, K.Rossi's lanterns are pleasing to the eye, and opposite the Oil Meadow you can admire the stunning spectacle called "Winter Fountain". This composition includes exquisite light figures, invented by analogy with Christmas decorations in the capital of France.
In the second half of December, annual festivities take place. At this time, Elaginsky Island resembles a fairy tale. Guests can purchase New Year's toys and decorations, gifts and souvenirs at the shopping pavilions. Visitors are happy to enjoy delicious cakes, gingerbread cookies, pies and other rich dishes.
Summer park
A lot of interesting entertainments in TsKPiO exist and the warm season. Boat trips, walking with birds singing and twittering, playing on the tennis court - all this is at the disposal of guests who have arrived to spend time on the island of Elagin. Even the squirrels are tame here: they will be happy to receive treats from visitors. Well, the numerous attractions in TsPKiO (St. Petersburg) will not leave anyone indifferent from the children. But how much does it cost to relax in this picturesque place?
Price-list
It should be noted that the budget option of leisure activities is proposed precisely in the Central Park of Culture and Health (St. Petersburg). The prices here are quite affordable.
For example, one hour of roller-skating costs 150 rubles. Those who wish to ride a bike in an hour will give 200 rubles. If you want to rent a scooter for an hour, then this pleasure will cost 80 rubles.
A game of table tennis will cost 100 rubles per hour. Anyone who wants to ride a boat for an hour will shell out 200 rubles. Renting a catamaran costs 280 rubles, skating - 200 rubles, Finnish sledding - 100 rubles, skiing - 200 rubles per one hour of use.
That’s where it’s inexpensive, so it’s in the Central Park of Arts and Culture (St. Petersburg). The price of a ticket (entrance) for adults is only 70 rubles, and for students, schoolchildren and military personnel, even less - 30 rubles. Moreover, on weekdays the entrance to the park is free.
Events and Festivals
A huge number of festivals, exhibitions and recreational events are regularly held on Yelagin Island. In particular, Petersburgers like to go to the festival “Shumi, Maslenitsa!”, “Tulip Festival”, the festival of street theaters “Elagin Park”, and the exhibition “Glass and Ceramics in a Landscape”. The delight of many guests is caused by the gastronomic festival “Oh, yes! Food!" and the music festival "Jazz Manor".
Mode of operation
The Kirov Central Park of Culture and Public Health is open every day from 6.00 to 00.00 in the summer, and from 6.00 to 23.00 in the winter. On holidays and weekends the ticket office is open from 10.00 to 22.00.
Transport
Not everyone knows by what means of transport and by what route you can reach TsPKiO (St. Petersburg). How to get to the park? The best option is to use the "subway". You should get to the metro station “Krestovy ostrov”, and then going right, walk some distance along Ryukhin Street. Then the path lies to the bridge across the Central Nevka.
The second route leads to the Staraya Derevnya metro station. Then you should go along the Lipova alley up to the Primorsky highway. Then, turning right, we move to the bridge.
The park can be reached with the help of three Elaginsky bridges from the Kamenny and Krestovsky islands, as well as from the Primorsky district.
Reviews
Guests who are in the Central Park of Arts and Culture (St. Petersburg) are unanimous in their reviews of this picturesque place. Walking in the fresh air, numerous festivals, exciting festive events, exhibitions, a zoo, birdsong - all this and much more attract St. Petersburgers and guests of the “city on the Neva” to Yelaginsky Island.