Residents of Novosibirsk are expressing strong discontent over the 180 million ruble reconstruction of “Zatulinsky Park,” citing the loss of a beloved children’s play area and questionable design choices. The overhaul, part of a federal project to create a more comfortable urban environment, has been met with criticism despite the addition of new tiles, lighting, and benches.

The primary source of frustration is the removal of the “Kremlin” children’s town, a playground established in the early 2010s by the Natalia Vodianova Foundation. Residents lament that this popular attraction, once a vibrant and cherished space for children, now sits abandoned near the Bugrinsky Bridge.

Many feel that the money spent on the reconstruction was not used wisely. A local resident highlights the removal of a workout area and the installation of what he describes as “ugly” black poles with dim lighting, creating a somber atmosphere.

The “Kremlin” children’s town was constructed in 2013 using funds from Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation. While the park underwent improvements in 2020 as part of a national project, residents question why the “Kremlin” couldn’t have been relocated or repurposed instead of being left to decay.

Adding to the concerns is the absence of a pedestrian crossing at the park’s main entrance on Zorge Street. Locals report that people, including parents with children, are forced to cross a busy road without a designated crosswalk. Despite appeals to the mayor’s office, no action has been taken to address this safety issue.

The Novosibirsk mayor’s office has been contacted for comment regarding the fate of the dismantled Kremlin town and plans for a pedestrian crossing.