Friendship Park. Middle of the bridge

In the 1980s, a new microdistrict appeared in Blagoveshchensk, built up with panel high-rise buildings. New settlers needed a place for comfortable rest, and residents of new buildings along the Novotroitskoye Highway needed a “green shield” that could save them from the noise, dust and exhaust from a busy highway. In 1986, the first trees were planted along the long stretch of roadside territory from the roundabout to Institutskaya Street. Zoning of the future park with a total area of 58,000 square meters has begun. Taking into account some thaw in Soviet-Chinese relations, it was decided to decorate the park with Chinese-style decorative elements and name it in honor of the friendship of neighboring peoples. Thus, a model of the Great Wall of China appeared in the park, as well as a stone mountain with a gazebo-pagoda on top and small buildings with curved tiled roofs.

Blagoveshchensk Friendship Park was solemnly opened in 1995. At first, it was a popular tourist attraction, as was the "Russian Village" built by the Chinese in the suburbs of Heihe. However, unlike the enterprising Chinese, the Blagoveshchensk people were unable to unlock the commercial potential of their park, and the townspeople soon lost interest in it. Without due care, it quickly fell into disrepair, the paths were overgrown with weeds, the artificial pond turned into a sewer, and pagoda arbors became a refuge for all kinds of outcasts.

The situation changed dramatically in 2012, when the park, which had become virtually ownerless, was taken over by the Public and Cultural Center and its energetic director. First of all, a general cleaning was carried out in the park, the ponds were cleaned and improved, paths and bike paths were marked out, new trees and shrubs were planted. Then the restoration of architectural objects began. Buildings that did not fit into the new concept were simply demolished, and playgrounds and sports grounds appeared in their place. Floating fountains began to work in the ponds, an artificial waterfall adorned the mountain. The park was filled with small sculptures depicting a crouching tiger, a family of pandas, fishermen with their catch and a couple of lovers on the bridge. Every year, new art objects, places for a relaxing holiday and areas for active leisure began to appear here.