In the city of Samara there are 9 squares, one of which is the Voronezh Lakes Park. The oldest of them is the Strukovsky Garden, it was formed in the middle of the XIX century, planted with flowers, there were many fountains on the territory. From it, at the end of the 19th century, a wooden staircase was built to the Volga. At the end of the century, mass celebrations and all city celebrations were held here. In Soviet times, it was renamed the Gorky Park of Culture and Rest.
About 5 parks were forever lost for the townspeople: Alexandrovsky, Baranovsky, Kovrigin, Pokrovsky, Rastrepinsky gardens. The territories of these parks at different historical times were used for urban development. The city expanded and stepped on the forest park zone, mercilessly destroying it.
The seizure of territories near parks and squares for the construction of buildings and structures is still acute now. Since the 70s of the 20th century on the territory of the park "Voronezh Lakes" have repeatedly tried to build buildings of various kinds and purposes. These attempts continue now. Why is this territory attractive? What are the features of the park? What is his story?
Features and description of the city district
The Voronezh Lakes region in Samara is a sleeping area. Two streets are located inside it: Voronezhskaya and Stara Zagora, which is a witness to old Soviet-Bulgarian friendly relations. Not far from the park "Voronezh Lakes" is located Bulgarian Square. Samara is a twin city with the Bulgarian town of Stara Zagora, and it is not surprising that a lot of Bulgarian words are found in the toponymy of Samara.
There are many shopping centers in the Voronezh Lakes region. The oldest of them is the Empire, which was built in 2002 and currently consists of two buildings. Recently, a new shopping and entertainment center “Samolet” was opened, and it is planned to open another shopping center in the area under the name “Hippodrome”.
In the area behind the Imperia shopping center, there is a city fountain, near which many young people gather on summer evenings.
The Voronezh Lakes region, although it is a sleeping area, is not deprived in sports terms. The SKA stadium was built here in 1958. Currently, a sports complex has been built around the stadium.
In the vicinity of the district there is the Samara Municipal Institute of Management, the city administration in 1998 became its founder.
The Voronezh Lakes Park is located in the district.
Description of the park
The Voronezh Lakes Park is a park zone located in the northeast of the city of Samara in the bedroom-industrial area. Area - 18 hectares.
The park zone is a complex of three lakes of unknown origin and perennial oaks, which are natural monuments. This is the natural habitat of wild ducks and crucian carp.
Until the 70s, the Voronezh Lakes Park was located outside the city limits, but mass development of territories began in the 70s, the city expanded, a residential microdistrict was built, which had a bad effect on the park and caused great damage to lakes and trees.
Despite this, the park is currently hosting cultural events and sports competitions. In summer, it turns into a resting place, where there are many sunbathing citizens.
Park "Voronezh Lakes" (Samara): history
Before the revolution, the park was a resting place for Samara residents and visitors. In the middle of the 20th century, the Voronezh Lakes of Samara, centuries-old oak forests, were known throughout Russia, and the entire forest park complex was surrounded by fruit orchards, which were called the Middle Gardens. There were also "Small Gardens" in the city, which were located near the Botanical Garden.
Since the beginning of the 60s, "Small Gardens" began to be cut down, and residential areas with high-rise buildings and appropriate infrastructure began to be erected on their territory. In just ten years, two neighborhoods were built and Stara Zagora Street with a ring was laid.
On the territory of the Voronezh Lakes, as mentioned above, there were three lakes, the origin of which has not yet been precisely determined. At present, ratan, perch, crucian carp, and maggots live in their waters.
After the construction of the Imperia shopping center, the building’s foundation was disrupted by the natural course of groundwater, as a result of which one lake in the park zone was dry.
The territory of the park since the 70s of the XX century has repeatedly undergone numerous attempts to erect new structures here:
- Vozrozhdenie plant (stone processing);
- Puppet Theatre;
- sports complex;
- parking.
Developers planned to build a complex of four buildings of the Vozrozhdenie plant in the park, occupying an area of ​​1.5 hectares.
2 hectares of forest were cut down for the construction of a new building for the puppet theater.
Within the forest zone of the Voronezh Lakes Square, they tried to build a sports complex, which caused public outrage among residents of the microdistricts. As a result, construction was prohibited.
An unauthorized parking lot is located in the park, the owners of which periodically cut down trees to expand the territory.
The temple in the park was built with all the necessary permissions and documents, and the Sunday school and refectory were erected unauthorized by cutting down trees and clearing the territory without any permission.
Temple
The temple, built in the park "Voronezh Lakes" Samara, is named after the Trinity Life-Giving. It is located at: Voronezhskaya street, 137 a.
This active church belongs to the diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. His building was built from the building of an unfinished pumping station. The construction of the temple began in 2000 and was very slow due to lack of funding. But by the end of 2001, almost all construction work was completed.
The first services were held here in January 2002.
Square problems
The park is located in the industrial area of ​​the city, which affects the quality of air and groundwater, which nourish centuries-old trees and unique lakes.
Currently, the territory of the "Voronezh Lakes" landscaped. There is a playground with slides, horizontal bars.
Vacationing citizens can visit the cafe on the "Voronezh Lakes" of Samara. The April cafe is located on the territory of the park, where you can relax from the bustle of the city, enjoy the air of a summer evening and taste delicious Russian dishes. The park is protected from street noise and soot cars.
But despite the fact that the square is quite well-maintained, there are not enough benches, very poor lighting, few garbage cans. After cultural events here, the square remains very polluted.
Another problem of the park is its territory, which various enterprises of the city want to grab for use for their needs.
Park address
The park is located in the north-east of the city, in a residential area of ​​the same name. You can get to the Voronezh Lakes Park by going to the following address: Samara, 167 Stara Zagora Street.
How to get to the park area
You can get here using public transport:
- by bus No. 37, 47, 23, 45, 70, 56 from the stop "Voronezh";
- by trolleybus No. 12, 17, 20, 4, 13, 19 from the Stara – Zagora stop.
Exit should be at the stop "Park" Voronezh Lakes. "