Kuskovo Park is a large forest area in the east of Moscow. The main object of attraction of this territory is the old Russian estate "Kuskovo" located in the center of the forest park. It was built in the 18th century, at the same time a regular park was laid out on its territory. Currently, the regular park and the estate are combined into a museum complex and are protected by the state. And the forest surrounding the museum was singled out as a protected zone of a cultural heritage site and turned into a recreation area for residents of adjacent residential areas.
Our company has developed and implemented a project for the improvement of the forest part of the Kuskovo park without affecting the museum complex. By the time the work began, the territory was in a state of disrepair: road surfaces in most of the territory were absent or needed to be replaced; the equipment of functional areas is dilapidated and outdated; the water system of the forest park, consisting of a cascade of artificial ponds, became shallow and began to overgrow.
Our project proposed measures for the ecological rehabilitation of ponds: cleaning from bottom sediments, installing a water-resistant layer and bank protection, creating a bioplateau necessary for the development of aquatic ecosystems and restoring the water supply system of ponds. The banks of the ponds were equipped with areas for quiet rest, bridges and descents to the water.
We also paid special attention to the ecology of the forest and its inhabitants. In order to restore and maintain biodiversity in the territory of the Kuskovo forest park, it was planned to plant rare and disappearing plant species in Moscow, such as: broad-leaved helleborine, yellow iris, giant bellflower, common oregano, unspotted lungwort, oxeye daisy, etc. As well as plants , attracting representatives of the forest fauna, since the seeds and fruits of some trees and shrubs (berries, acorns, cones) serve as a food base for many species of birds and animals.
In addition, in order to reduce the impact of artificial lighting on the biological rhythms of animals and birds and on the photoperiodism of plants, the project provides for a special approach to lighting the area. The use of directional lighting devices is proposed, which makes it possible to illuminate only areas reserved for the movement and recreation of visitors and reduce the amount of light entering the crowns of trees and deep into forest zones. Also, in the spectrum of light radiation of the installed fixtures, there is no ultraviolet component, the presence of which is recognized as dangerous for insects. Also, the lighting of the main routes of movement motivates visitors to the forest park to move along the footpaths and specially designated recreation areas, avoiding unlit areas, and disturbing the forest inhabitants less.
Several historical objects have also been preserved in the park. These include: old-growth plantations of valuable tree species, elements of the regular planning structure of the park of the 18th century - Kuskovsky Prosek, panoramas of the banks of the Palace Pond, etc. In order to enhance the historical significance of planning and landscape elements in the area adjacent to the museum, it is proposed to accentuate their authenticity with paths covered with granite screenings, historical paving made of natural stone, clipped shrubs, stylized small architectural forms and navigation elements.
The Veshnyakovskaya perspective was also restored. This is a visual continuation of the planning axis of the estate along the Veshnyakovskiy Canal. This is a characteristic element of the landscape architecture of the XVIII century - the so-called aerial perspective. By the time the work began, it was lost due to forest growth, we cleared it and restored the lost appearance.
To organize the recreation of visitors to the Kuskovo park, pavilions were designed at the main entrances to the park. These pavilions house public toilets, mother and child rooms, rental and security offices.
3 new playgrounds were created, as well as 5 existing ones were repaired with the replacement of coatings and the installation of modern playground equipment. Game zones are themed so that each of them has its own identity. We also combined all the game locations with the help of an illustrated map into a single route that will help turn a walk with children into an exciting journey through the Magic Forest. We selected playground equipment for each playground, as well as coating materials and colors corresponding to the chosen theme of the playground. Due to the proximity to the natural environment, we paid special attention to the use of soft, natural surfaces on playgrounds: sand, mulch, small pebbles
We have reprogrammed the existing sports complex of the Fraser Stadium in the southwestern part of the park in such a way as to turn this place into a modern sports cluster that is interesting for different groups of users. The project provides for the restoration of a football field with stands, volleyball and basketball courts, tennis courts. New functional elements have also appeared - a children's sports ground, an obstacle course, exercise and workout zones, a pump track and a skate park.
In addition to the sports core on the basis of the Fraser Stadium, outdoor enthusiasts will also be able to take advantage of jogging tracks (total length of 8.5 km) and workout stations located along them, bike paths and ski slopes in winter. The Table Tennis Club in Kuskovo will receive its ground in an updated form: the surface will be replaced and new equipment will be installed. For fans of yoga in the fresh air, a special platform with a canopy will be equipped near the Environmental Education Center.
On the site of the paved area near the Ruinny Pond, a food court was designed, and on the site of a car parking lot on Palace Passage, an area for parking horse-drawn carriages was designed.