Peeling paint and faded memories. They cling to Yablonovsky Sad. This isn’t just a park. It’s a place where nature battles neglect. Let me tell you about Yablonovsky Sad. It is a green space in Saint Petersburg’s Nevsky district.
Yablonovsky Sad sits on the right bank of the Okkervil River. It’s bordered by Voroshilov Street. It is also bordered by Latyshsky Riflemen Street and Rossiysky Avenue. The park spans 2.51 hectares. It was founded in 2008.
Once, in the 19th century, a wooden Yablonovka stood here. In the late 1880s, a city dump was organized near it. It existed until 1978. After 1930, waste was brought from the Nevsky chemical plant. Organic waste came from nearly the entire city.
In 1978, construction began on nearby residential buildings. Waste was poured into a pit. Organizers tried to prevent water from penetrating deeply. They used gas and Cambrian blue clay to cover the topsoil. In the late 1980s, plans arose. The former dump site was slated to become a park. It was dedicated to the Latyshsky Riflemen. However, the USSR collapsed. The project never materialized.
Over 30 years, trees and shrubs grew. A full-fledged biocenosis took shape. Yablonovsky Sad teems with birdlife. You can spot crows and hares. Yablonovsky Sad stands as the district’s only green area.
In 2012, construction of a parking lot began without informing residents. Trees and shrubs were cleared. This sparked mass protests. Residents organized rallies. They sent collective appeals to authorities. They demanded a project review. Ultimately, authorities abandoned parking lot plans.
In October 2013, Yablonovsky Sad was included in a green space registry. According to the Committee for Nature Use, the soil contains 1.6 million tons of waste. This waste poses a hazard. It seeps into surface and ground water. Therefore, the entire area needs remediation.
In July 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources added the garden to a state registry. It recognized the area as contaminated. Experts conducted studies in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2020. Their results varied significantly. In 2010, 61% of the soil was classified as hazardous. In 2014, no such hazards were detected.
Locals fear that remediation will involve cutting down trees. They worry the soil will be removed. It will then be transported to another dump. An open letter was sent to the governor in October 2023. More than 1,700 people signed. They demanded the garden’s preservation.
Despite challenges, Yablonovsky Sad persists. It is a green lung struggling for breath. It is a testament to nature’s resilience. It is also a symbol of community action.