Sadovniki Park

As part of a large-scale collaboration between LDA Design and Alphabet City, nine park masterplans were developed for the Moscow Department of Culture, three of which were realised as designed — Sadovniki Park, the Lilac Garden, and the Olympic Park.

Having prioritised the regeneration of Moscow’s parks to make the city a more comfortable and attractive place to live, the Department of Culture commissioned the two offices to create transformational masterplans for the capital’s key green spaces.

LDA Design’s response focused on health, wellbeing, play, and recreation, aiming to create opportunities for community life while offering a rich horticultural and ecological experience.

At Sadovniki — the ‘Gardeners’ Park’ — two main issues were addressed. Although located within a dense urban area, the park had previously been used mainly as a shortcut to the nearest metro station. A new path network was developed to respond to the ways people actually used the space.

Secondly, the park required amenities to become a genuine destination for the thousands of residents living nearby. The resulting masterplan established a contemporary, welcoming park centred around a new ‘heart of the park’ and pavilion. New facilities include a fountain plaza with a family café, an ice rink and events space, a BMX track, a skate bowl, gardens, and play areas.