Vitya Cherevichkin Children's Park (Russian: Детский парк имени Вити Черевичкина) is a park in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, established in 1880. It is situated in the city centre near the Don River embankment.[1]
The park was established in 1880 and initially was called Alexandrovsky Garden in honour of the 25th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Alexander II.[2] In 1894 the Alexander Column, an 11-meter copy of the Alexander Column erected in Saint Petersburg, was installed. The project was undertaken by Rostov architect Nikolai Durbach[ru]. In 1998, the column got the status of a cultural heritage site of local significance.[3]
Alexandrovsky Garden in the beginning of XX century
Starting in 1936, the park was called "Children's Park of Pioneers and Schoolchildren." A canal with bridges and a large stage for performances were constructed there. Since 1965, the park has borne the name of Vitya Cherevichkin[ru] (1925—1941), a Rostov boy who was murdered by Nazis during World War II. Somewhat earlier, in 1961, a bust of the Rostov sculptor Nikolai Avedikov was installed in the park.[4]
Vitya Cherevichkin Park is currently the only children's park not only in Rostov-on-Don, but also in the whole of Rostov Oblast. It is specially designed for preschool and school-age children. There are a children's playground, a playpen (trampoline), and an aqua park with a children's game complex, "Schooner". There is a tradition of newlyweds hanging locks on the bridge of the park for luck.[4]
In 2000, with the support of the Culture Department of Rostov-on-Don, the park was reconstructed — new children's playgrounds were installed, the park lighting project was implemented and its avenues were paved with tiles.[4]
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