Park "Poznaniye" ("Park 'Poznaniye' — A Territory of Discoveries") is an urban public space improvement project in Sarov (Nizhny Novgorod Region), developed in 2026. In August 2026, the project won the All-Russian Competition for the Best Projects for Creating a Comfortable Urban Environment in Small Towns and Historic Settlements, making it eligible for federal funding for its implementation. The competition results were announced on August 10, 2026, in Moscow at the XI All-Russian Forum "Development of Small Towns and Historic Settlements"; the competition is held as part of the national project "Infrastructure for Life".[1][2]

Concept and Location

The park is planned for the area between the Sarov Technopark and the city — in a wooded strip with informal footpaths that lies outside the perimeter of the closed city and will therefore be accessible to anyone, including visitors from other localities, pilgrims, and tourists.[3] The concept is built around two components of Sarov's identity: the spiritual — associated with the Venerable Serafim Sarovsky — and the scientific, associated with the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics.[3]

The park is divided into three thematic trails:

  • "Path of Knowledge" — runs from the quantorium to the city; envisions a youth cultural center for conferences, a visitor center, and a food court.[3]
  • "Trail of Enlightenment" — dedicated to the theme of atomic energy; planned features include themed children's playgrounds with atomic symbolism and a science education museum.[3]
  • "Trail of Spirituality" — runs along the Satis River to the Serafimovsky Spring; includes observation decks, children's playgrounds, a loop cycling path, and a skate park.[3]

According to the authors' concept, the park is intended to serve as a science and entertainment center, giving every child in Sarov the opportunity to engage with science; this goal was formulated during a meeting between the project's authors and the chief architect and head of the Sarov administration.[3]

History of the project

The park concept was developed by fifth-year students of the Nizhny Novgorod State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (NNGASU), Maria Neklyudova and Darya Ikanova, as part of the second season of the National Student Competition "Blagoustroy!" ("Improve Your Space!").[3] The project took first place in the category "Tourist Infrastructure Facilities".[3]

Victory at the federal competition

In August 2026, Nizhny Novgorod Region Governor Gleb Nikitin announced that the Sarov project was among the five winners from the region in the competition — alongside projects from Arzamas (a contemporary culture center in Gaydar Park), Semyonov ("The Blue of Semyonov's Forests" — development of a museum-and-factory cluster), The Semyonov project "The Blue of Semyonov's Forests" envisages the creation of a museum-and-factory cluster at the intersection of Chkalov and Sverdlov Streets.[1] Balakhna (renovation of Sovetskaya Square and Minin Square with the restoration of the Nativity of the Theotokos church and the "Dom Moskvy") and Bor (comprehensive landscaping of Lenin Street).[2] According to the Governor, counting the 2026 winners, more than 50 Nizhny Novgorod projects have been recognized in the competition; among those already completed are Borok Park in Uren, the central square of Dzerzhinsk, and Gorodets Museum Quarter.[2]

The Bor project is called "Borsky Boulevard" and provides for the comprehensive renewal of Lenin Street.[1]

Sources

  1. Newsroom24 — Five projects of Nizhny Novgorod Region won the small cities competition — The Bor project, which won the competition alongside the Sarov project, is called "Borsky Boulevard"… (archive)
  2. Vremya N — Five Nizhny Novgorod projects became winners of the All-Russian Competition of Small Cities and Historic Settlements (archive)
  3. Nizhegorodskaya Pravda — Territory of Meanings: a Nizhny Novgorod student spoke about the future park project in Sarov (archive)