In the Vyborgsky district of St. Petersburg there is a wonderful corner of nature - the Olginsky pond. It will probably be more correct to say - this is a piece of a huge natural massif, Sosnovka park.
This place is loved by many residents who come here to relax. Everyone can find classes to taste here, whether it is a seeker of loneliness, a family with children or a group of friends. Rest in St. Petersburg in the lap of nature and near the city is a success.
History
In 1941, the city needed quartz sand and clay, which were the material for the manufacture of molds used in the manufacture of shells and mines. The city was surrounded by the enemy, it became impossible to import them from the region, and then, having previously carried out reconnaissance in different parts of St. Petersburg, they decided to arrange a mining quarry here. So on the outskirts of the city a pit appeared. Quartz sand began to be mined here.
They loaded the sand with shovels, took them out on gas-generating machines. Later tram tracks were brought here , they were extended as the quarry was developed. Then the conveyor belts were arranged, which greatly helped the workers. The quarry was called the "nutrient point" of casters. Sand mining was conducted here in the postwar years. In addition to foundry, builders began to use sand.
The present
Subsequently, in the early 70s, this quarry was filled with water, it was cultivated. Holidays in St. Petersburg on the banks of the Olginsky quarry became popular.
The water here is clean, although vacationers often leave behind mud. Water is cleaned here every year, samples are taken for analysis. So the condition of the reservoir is monitored. There are more than ten sources in the pond that enrich it with clean water.
There is a sandy beach on the shore, where in hot weather vacationers gather for sunbathing and water procedures.
Among representatives of energy practices, this place is known as a place of power. They come here to pump energy, to put in order thoughts through meditation.
The beach on Olginsky Pond has been popular since April, from the first warm days, when the water still did not seem to have warmed up, and the first bathers were already appearing here. He is not empty in the winter. This place is popular among walruses who organized a winter swimming club. For lovers of beach holidays, locker rooms are arranged on the shore. Vacationers complain that there is only one toilet on the beach, but someday this problem will be solved. After all, the city authorities take care of this wonderful natural corner.
Animal world
Olginsky pond is famous among fishermen. Whole crayfish were caught here, whole legends are composed. They say that crayfish are still found, and the fish is found. Fishing in St. Petersburg attracts many, so here you can often see vacationers with fishing rods.
Flocks of birds gather near the water. Ducks, seagulls, pigeons. Who catches fish, who begs food from vacationers. The pigeons are so tame that if they reach out, they will cling to it in the hope of refreshments.
And in the park, on the outskirts of which the Olginsky Pond is located, Korean squirrels are found. They, too, can easily take food from the hands of vacationers, which delight everyone, especially the kids.
Sport
These places have long been chosen by athletes. On the water you can often see swimmers and kayakers. By the way, there is a rental of catamarans for vacationers, who can also join lovers of water movements.
Sosnovka park has sports grounds for playing soccer and volleyball. There is a shooting range of the club "Olympian", often held various competitions. There is a motorcycle riding school in the park, there is a real mototrack.
There are platforms with horizontal bars, bars and other devices for physical exercises.
For lovers of various wheeled vehicles, Sosnovka Park is a real expanse. Many tracks favor skiing. Transport, in the absence of its own, can be rented here. Bicycles are especially popular. There are electric cars, and tandems for traveling in the park as a family, and scooters.
In winter, skate rental is available. On the paths of the park you can meet many skiers.
For children
Olginsky Pond - a great place for a family holiday. Children are happy to bathe, feed birds, squirrels. In the park for them there are playgrounds and an amusement park. For older kids, they organize sports competitions. Children's voices are heard from sports fields where children and adults play together.
Park Sosnovka
Sosnovka Park is a historical place. In the old days, local places attracted duelists here. Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov also shot a duel here, for which he was sent into exile in the Caucasus.
Not far from the park were the cottages of Vissarion Grigorievich Belinsky and Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev. They loved to walk along the paths of the park. The place here is favorable for walks and wellness. The name of the park suggests that pine prevails here, so valued for its healing properties.
During the war years, the city’s airfield was located here. Now, in that part of the park, there is a memorial to fallen soldiers and a cemetery for fallen pilots is located.
Along the well-groomed alleys of the park, there are a lot of benches, so there is always where to sit down and relax from an intense walk.
It is also remarkable that mushrooms and berries grow in the park, because if you turn away from the beaten path, you can get into a real forest. And besides the Olginsky pond there are also a couple of smaller reservoirs. Fishing in St. Petersburg becomes possible near the city and at the same time practically in the forest.
The park often hosts concerts, festivals, various festivals, which attracts even more visitors. On several open air venues, amateur groups and famous artists perform on holidays.
It is remarkable that the park often hosts environmental landings to clean the area. Activists hang garbage bags over its territory, which helps to maintain order.
How to get there
The Olginsky Pond in the Vyborg District of St. Petersburg is located closest to the Polytechnic and Academic metro stations. You can walk from them. The distance is about 2-2.5 km. Tram No. 61 from the Polytechnic will bring you closer to the goal or bus No. 93 from the Academic. You need to go to the stop "Tikhoretsky Prospekt" / "Svetlanovsky Prospekt".
You can also take the trolleybus number 40 from Svetlanovskaya Square to Jacques Duclos Street and walk.
Travel time from the city center to the desired place (Olginsky Pond, St. Petersburg) will take about an hour.
There are vacationers who arrive here on bicycles.
Where to eat?
There are a couple of cafes and a large restaurant on the territory of the park, also in season there is a mobile kiosk with hot dogs. So you will not disappear from hunger. Although many come here with their supplies, or even settle in some clearing for grilling kebabs, even though it is prohibited here.