Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure (Russian: Центральный парк культуры и отдыха (ЦПКиО) имени Горького, Tsentralny park kultury i otdykha imeni Gorkogo; [tsɨnˈtralʲnɨj ˈpark kʊlʲˈturɨ i ˈoddɨxə ˈimʲɪnʲɪ ˈɡorʲkəvə]) is an amusement park in Moscow, named after Maxim Gorky.

Gorky Park was opened in 1928. It is located at Krymsky Val and situated just across the Moskva River from Park Kultury Metro Station. The Park was planned by Konstantin Melnikov, a world-famous Soviet avant-garde and constructivist architect. Gorky Park was created by the amalgamation of the extensive gardens of the old Golitsyn Hospital and the Neskuchny Palace and covers an area of 300 acres (120 ha) along the river.

During the post-Soviet era Gorky Park used to host an amusement park with fun fairs, various amusement rides, a Ferris wheel and one of the mock-ups (test units) from the Buran space shuttle program. During the winter the footpaths flood over and freeze, which allows ice-skating around the park.

Over the years the rides became decrepit, and the park territory was swamped with cheap attractions and cafes. In 2011 the Gorky Park underwent a major reconstruction. All amusement rides but one, a two deck carousel, have been removed in order to transform the place into an eco-friendly recreational zone. In March, the city appointed Sergei Kapkov director of the 120-hectare, or 300-acre, Gorky Park. He canceled the entrance fee and cleared the park of outdated carnival rides and junk food stalls, while bringing back the traditional sport activities: aerobics, yoga and salsa dancing taught by educated instructors, along with creating new spaces, such as a pétanque cafe, beach volleyball courts and an open-air cinema theatre. With free Wi-fi, contemporary public art projects, design fairs and a new cafe policy, Gorky Park soon became one of the most popular places in Moscow. A 15,000 square meter ice rink, with separate zones for children, hockey, dancing, and general skating, was officially opened in December 2011.

Source of description: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorky_Park_(Moscow) wikipedia

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Geographical coordinates 55.7313890, 37.6038890
Address Moscow,

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