How about a trip back in time to when this area was just beginning to blossom? Today we are standing at Park Skazok. It is more than just a park. It is one of the oldest green spaces in St Petersburg’s Nevsky district.
Let’s step back. Imagine Catherine II. She recognized the need to improve the surrounding forest near the Nevsky district. This marked the start of the area’s development. Soon dachas or country houses for the imperial court started appearing.
Fast forward to 1885. Intellectuals gathered to organize public festivities for factory workers. These celebrations initially took place in the village of Alexandrovskoye. Later in 1888 the festivities moved to “Vena” Park. This area is now part of Park Skazok.
In 1891 the “Nevsky Society for the Organization of Public Festivities” bought “Vena” Park. Their goal was to provide healthy entertainment for the working population. They wanted to distract them from troubles.
The Society organized public festivities. These included concerts and theatrical performances. They even held dance evenings. I. and N. Vargunin and architect L. Shaufelberger managed the society.
The park featured four buildings. The largest building became a theater in 1891. This theater was the first in the Nevsky district. It could seat 300 people. Provincial troupes performed there. Students from the Conservatory gave concerts. Dance evenings were also held. In its first season the theater hosted 15 plays and 3 concerts. More than 3000 spectators attended.
The park also had an open-air stage. Military orchestras played there. There were also attractions. These included roller coasters carousels and children’s attractions. The park also featured giant steps and bowling alleys. The Nevsky district also had a public reading room.
In 1897 architect A. Malov built a house for workers. This was on the Nevsky Society’s plot. Between 1897 and 1900 a large brick building with a theater was built. This theater had 1600 seats. Architects A. Malov and engineer V. Luchinsky designed it. The building was destroyed during the Great Patriotic War.
After the theater was built the park improved. Roads were arranged. Water supply was installed. New garden areas were created. The garden covered six hectares.
Operas were performed on holidays. Local artists took part. Artists from the Alexandrinsky Imperial Theater also came to Park Skazok. It became a cultural hub.
Working-class people loved the area. They called it the “Russian Manchester” because of the factories. In 1918 the society was liquidated.
During the Soviet era the park became a popular recreation spot. Around 1925 or 1926 the green space was named the Garden of Culture and Recreation. Later the park was named after I.V. Babushkin. He was an associate of V.I. Lenin. Babushkin started his revolutionary activities in the Nevsky district.
Until the Great Patriotic War the I.V. Babushkin Garden was managed by various organizations. These included the Proletarsky factory and the Nevsky-Smolninsky district. In 1946 the garden became the I.V. Babushkin Park of Culture and Recreation.
In 1956 a bronze bust of I.V. Babushkin was installed at the park entrance. Sculptor V.I. Zoba and architect K.L. Iogansen created it. The bust no longer exists.
Today Park Skazok covers 14 hectares. Various trees grow here. These include poplars oaks lindens birches ash trees maples and rowans. Shrubs include acacias hawthorns honeysuckles spireas and lilacs. The Park of Culture and Recreation is a historical cultural and artistic treasure.