Gorky Park (Central Park of Culture and Recreation)

Location: Within the city, Gogol Street, 1.

About this place: The oldest and largest amusement park in Almaty.

Gorky Park is a full-day destination: a Ferris wheel, amusement rides, boats and catamarans on the pond, a rope park, a skate park, and a children's miniature railway. There's also a water park, the Rodina cinema, and a sports complex featuring the Spartak stadium and a velodrome — the territory is vast enough to spend half a day here without repeating yourself. The park is open daily from 11:00 to 20:00. You can get there by trolleybus No. 1, 12, or 25, as well as buses No. 60 and 118 — all stop near the main entrance on Gogol Street, where there is also free parking.

History

The park was founded in 1856, just two years after the city itself was established, when it was still the fortress of Verny. Originally called the State Garden, it was laid out in the floodplain of the Malaya Almatinka River for the recreation of officers from the Verny garrison. By 1918, during the height of the Civil War, the park became a defensive line for Red Army units. In 1919, an aitysh — a competition of akyn poets — was held here, attended by Zhambyl Zhabayev, who would later become one of Kazakhstan's most renowned poets. Soviet rule transformed the park almost beyond recognition: in 1934, the pond was deepened and converted into a proper lake, rest bases for workers were opened on its shores, and the first amusement rides were installed. The following year, in 1935, the park was renamed in honour of Maxim Gorky, and in 1940 a monument to him was erected. In 1965, the park was recognized as the best in the Soviet Union.

Offcially, the park has long been called the Central Park of Culture and Recreation, but locals still call it "Gorky Park" out of habit — it's been that way for generations. In summer, the area around the pond is especially crowded: you can rent a boat or catamaran and slowly circle it by water. Or you can stay on the shore and simply watch the Ferris wheel, which stands right by the water next to a fountain. For the more active, there are cycling paths, a skate park, and a rope town with courses of varying difficulty — suitable for both children and adults. The park has cafes and food outlets throughout, so you won't need to leave in search of lunch. If you come with children, be sure to allow time for the miniature railway and water park — these usually become the reason to stay for the whole day rather than just a quick stroll.

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