Squares in the central part of Almaty -
Sports walk in the park -
Karagaily Park (pine park) is one of the coziest corners of nature in Almaty, located in a quiet area in the city center. This is a place where a dense pine grove fills the air with freshness and the aroma of pine needles, creating ideal conditions for rest, walking and recuperation. The Park is especially loved by residents for its cleanliness, silence and an atmosphere of peace – here you can hide from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy nature without leaving the metropolis.
The Park is not large, the air here is filled with the healing scent of pine needles, and the noise of the city is lost in the rustle of ancient trees. Next to the park there is the Museum of the history of Almaty, the Rixos Almaty hotel and the Uighur theater. There are two monuments in the park itself. In 2007, a monument to Kazakh akyn Turmagambet Iztleuov was erected here, and in 2017, a monument to the victims of the Holodomor of 1931-1933 was erected. This Park is not just a place to relax, but a true legend of Almaty, where nature and history are intertwined into a single whole.
The Park has several playgrounds, sports areas for outdoor activities, gazebos, swings, and table tennis tables. The Park is part of the green belt of Almaty and performs an important ecological function – purifies the air, saturates it with oxygen and maintains the microclimate of the southern districts of the city. Thanks to the soft paths, benches and recreation areas, "Karagaily" has become a popular place for family walks, sports and morning running.
History
The Karagaily Pine Park appeared in the middle of the 20th century, when the active landscaping of the southern outskirts of Almaty began. In those years, new forest plantations were created to protect the city from dust, winds and heat. Pine, spruce and birch trees quickly took root in the fertile foothill lands, and after a few decades a real coniferous forest grew here.
The name "Karagaily" comes from the Kazakh word karagai – "pine". It is symbolic and fully reflects the character of this place: silence, purity and the power of nature, enclosed in slender pine trees stretching to the sky.
Nature and atmosphere
The main pride of the park is the century old pine trees growing in dense rows. Their crowns create a dense shadow, and the scent of pine needles fills the air with a special freshness. In spring, the park is shrouded in greenery and flowering, in summer it is cool even in the heat, and in autumn the pine alleys turn golden, as if covered with sunlight.
There are many birds in the park chickadees, woodpeckers, goldfinches and even rare mountain species that can be heard in the morning. Sometimes squirrels run in here, and the children are happy to feed them nuts.
How to get there and visit -
Karagaily Park is located in Almaty on Kabanbai Batyr Street, between Seifulin Street and Nauryzbai Batyr Street, Almaly district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°14'59"N 76°56'09"E
Legend
Old-timers say that once upon a time there was a small village surrounded by a pine grove on the site of the current park. People believed that pine trees protected their homes from evil spirits and brought longevity. It was believed that if you hug a pine tree and ask for its health, the tree will take away fatigue and illness. This tradition has been preserved to this day many park visitors like to touch the trunks of old trees, feeling their vitality and tranquility.
The pine park of Karagaily is the living breath of Almaty, its green lungs and a place of strength. Here, time slows down, and the hustle and bustle of the city remains outside the coniferous forest. This is the perfect place to reboot, breathe deeply and feel at one with nature without leaving the city. Come to the park for an hour or for the whole day and you will take with you not only photos, but also a piece of its healing energy!
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