Sokolniki Park occupied part of the northeast of Moscow. Its vast territory includes a cascade of six amazingly beautiful reservoirs under the general name Putyaevsky Ponds. A chain of picturesque ponds stretches over an area of 6.1 hectares. From the main entrance to the reservoirs is a fairly long health path (the path along it takes about 2 hours).
Pond location
Ponds focused on the expanses of the 4th Ray Clearing. This is not far from the Malenkovskaya platform, which belongs to the Yaroslavl direction of the Moscow Railway. From here came the second name of artificial lakes - Malenkovsky ponds. In this place is their source - the floodplain of Putyaevsky stream.
In addition, a chain of interconnected reservoirs goes to Rostokinsky passage. The 5th Radiation Glade leads to them, abutting in the vicinity of Rostokinsky passage. Putyaevsky ponds feed surface and groundwater. And in case of drought, the water level in them is maintained artificially, using a specially supplied water supply.
The name of the ponds
Each Putyaevsky pond in Sokolniki with an average depth of 2.5 meters, included in the cascade, has a unique name. The main body of water is called Upper Putyaevsky Pond. Its waters are connected with the intricately meandering pond Zmeika, gradually turning into the next lake, which was called the Third Putyaevsky Pond.
The fourth backwater was called the Upper Devil's Pond. It is connected to the fifth - Walrus pond, pouring into the last pond, closing a delightful cascade. The name of the final lake is given to the Lower Devil's Pond.
However, the numbering and names of the reservoirs are rather arbitrary. In fact, they are assigned arbitrarily. It was not possible to identify reliably their unambiguously interpreted and official names. Although, according to most old-timers, it would be correct to calculate the pond from Rostokinsky passage.
History of Water Cascade
The place of construction of the reservoirs was the Putyaevsky stream, murmuring along the bottom of the eponymous ravine, which flows into the Yauza River. The formation of the cascade began with a spontaneously formed pond - the Lower Putyaevsky pond. At the end of the XIX century, the ravine was partially blocked, having built another pond.
The coasts of artificial ponds dotted with green islands with trees and duck houses were ennobled by regular landings. Part of the plantations was brought closer to the framing and walking paths, forming shady avenues where squirrels settled. Over time, 4 more reservoirs joined them.
In the far corner, sandwiched between the railway, Rostokinsky passage and a chain of ponds, they built a Labyrinth, forming it with five intricately intersecting ring paths. The Devil's Bridge was erected near the Labyrinth (apparently, it was he who gave the names to the first reservoirs - the Upper and Lower Devil's Pond). This bridge survived only until the middle of the 20th century. Unfortunately, little has been preserved from the park maze.
Reconstruction of reservoirs
In 2008, the Putyaevsky Ponds goal underwent a substantial reconstruction. When cleaning, they pulled out sludge and industrial waste in an incredible amount. After purification, the natural springs of the reservoir were restored, and its banks were reinforced with concrete pouring and decorative stone masonry. The coastlines were paved with sawn logs and decorated with the sides of them.
In the coastal strip formed sandy beaches, equipping their slopes with granite stone. In the vicinity made new landings. A vast area of 3.6 hectares of greenery, forming a picturesque composition of 70 trees and 2,000 shrubs.
Description of reservoirs
The largest lake is the Upper Putyaevsky Pond, spread over an area of 2.95 hectares. An asphalt road separates the pond from the main cascade . Its coast is framed by a beach with locker rooms and a wonderful relaxation area. In the summer cafe, guests are pampered with barbecue and khachapuri.
Vacationers, arriving at Putyaevsky Ponds, play volleyball, do wakeboarding, exercise on simulators, fish, swim in boats, catamarans and discos. For children built two leisure areas. One of them is modern, multifunctional, resembles a ship in shape.
A beautiful bridge is thrown across the Snake channel. On the territory of the Walrus pond is located sports and entertainment club "Friendship". Fans of winter swimming and training on simulators gather here. On the coast of the lake there is a locker room for "walruses".
Although Putyaevsky Ponds are equipped with well-maintained beaches, swimming is not allowed (warning signs are installed along the banks). The exception was the Walrus Pond, which was chosen by the adherents of tempering bathing.
Terrenkur, laid along ponds, equipped with benches. Strolling along the paths here, guests of Sokolnikov treat squirrels with nuts and seeds, feed wild ducks. At the bottom of the cascade, in the relaxation zone, artists write their masterpieces.
How to get there
Putyaevsky Ponds are very close to the Malenkovskaya railway platform. How to get from it to water bodies? Through the underpass go to the 4th Ray clearing. It is only a couple of minutes to the cascade on this road. Another route: at the VDNH metro station, take tram number 11 and get off at the Yunnatov Square stop.
A rather long way is to take minibus No. 714, which stops at the Rizhskaya metro station and continues to Pavel Korchagin. From here to the cascade you have to go through Sokolniki Park. The journey takes 20 minutes. And from the Sokolniki metro station you will have to follow the route through the park, which takes 30 minutes.