Green Kramatorsk. Sporting Kramatorsk. The Bernatsky Garden

Kramatorsk is an industrial centre of Ukraine in the Donetsk region, where the city's industrial landscapes alternate with protective green zones, parks and public gardens. The oldest of them has recently been given a second life.

Kramatorsk. The city Bernatsky Garden

The history of the Bernatsky Garden is closely bound up with the history of the city. In February 2016 it was given back one of its former names, which had changed along with the social and economic shifts in the city and in society. There were proposals to name the green expanse the European, the Machine-Builders', or Avanhard, but the recreation ground had returned to it the unforgotten name of the former managing director of the Kramatorsk Metallurgical Society plant, Yosyp Bernatsky, who made the greatest contribution to turning the park into a place of rest.

Kramatorsk. The city Bernatsky Garden

In the 19th century an old noble estate belonging to the Taranov-Belozerovs stood on this spot. Beside the stone house with a mezzanine a manorial orchard-garden was laid out. In 1897 the aristocrats sold the estate to the joint-stock company "V. Fitzner and K. Gamper", and up until the October Revolution the managing directors of the Kramatorsk plant lived there with their families. In those days the Director's Garden was tended by a gardener, a Czech by nationality. In the garden there was a wooden bathing house and a well with a wooden log frame. Yosyp Bernatsky held the post of chief engineer at the enterprise and was the last managing director of the Kramatorsk Metallurgical Society plant. The name "Bernatsky Garden" became attached to the park.

For the tenth anniversary of October, in 1927, Komsomol activists of the KHMMZ plant held a festival of labour, during which they planted hundreds of new trees. The Old Town Park, its area enlarged by the young plantings, was renamed in honour of the leader of the world proletariat, V. I. Lenin, and adorned with a fountain and sculptures. A summer cinema and a bandstand became the central objects of culture and leisure for the workers of the machine-building enterprise.

Kramatorsk. The former Lenin Park. The summer bandstand

It was in the Old Town Park that the townsfolk's sporting life was born. At the beginning of the 20th century many foreign specialists worked at the plant, and they brought European sporting traditions into the life of the enterprise. They formed two football teams, which led to the creation of the Kramatorsk Sports Society. Thus the world's beloved game got its start in Donbas. For the members of the KST a football pitch was opened, along with a running track, two tennis courts, a set of gymnastic apparatus and an open-air swimming pool 40×20 metres with diving towers and solariums. From 1913 friendly matches and tournaments were held with football teams from other cities of the industrial region. The Kramatorsk footballers were considered the champions of Donbas.

Kramatorsk. The football team in 1926

In 1927 a sensational match took place in Kramatorsk between the local masters of the leather ball and the European team "Lower Austria — Wiener Neustadt", with a score of 1:1.

Kramatorsk. 1927. Poster for the football match with the team of Lower Austria — "Wiener Neustadt"

In 1935 the Kramatorsk city party committee took the decision to build a stadium on the grounds of the Lenin Park of Culture and Recreation.

Kramatorsk. The Avanhard Stadium. The administration building. 1936

For this the bed of the Druha Bilenka river was even shifted southwards. Before the war the football team "Avanhard" of the Old Kramatorsk Machine-Building Plant, named the same as the football arena, played its matches here.

The Avanhard Stadium. The entrance and the sculptures of sportswomen

The Avanhard Stadium. The entrance after reconstruction

In 1937 "Avanhard" played for Ukraine in the USSR championship. Later the team was a repeated participant in the USSR championships and cup tournaments.

Kramatorsk. The Avanhard Stadium. A bas-relief

After the Second World War the ruined stadium was restored; it belonged to the sportsmen of the "Prapor" club.

Kramatorsk. The Avanhard Stadium

The Bernatsky Garden. The Avanhard Stadium

The park once again became a favourite place of rest for the people of Kramatorsk. The townsfolk took part in festive events, performances and concerts.

Kramatorsk. The entrance to Lenin Park

Sculptural portraits of historical figures, writers and composers, set up along the avenues, fostered the spiritual growth of the townsfolk.

Lenin Park. A bust of P. I. Tchaikovsky

In the years of drastic change and social instability the park fell into desolation.

The former Lenin Park before reconstruction

In 2010 the revival of "Avanhard" began, with the recruitment of leading players from other football clubs of Ukraine.

The Avanhard Stadium. FC Avanhard

The team worthily represents Kramatorsk in the first-league matches.

The Avanhard Stadium. FC Avanhard

The training base for the players is the stadium of the Old Kramatorsk Machine-Building Plant.

Kramatorsk. The Avanhard Stadium

After the park was given back its historical name, the Bernatsky Garden, in 2016, the city's enterprising leaders set about its reconstruction after long years of neglect.

Kramatorsk. The Bernatsky Garden

On 3 September 2017 the ceremonial opening of the Garden took place, together with sporting competitions, concerts, contests, a fair and an entertainment programme. The entrance to the green fairy tale begins with an arch, beside which a convenient car park has been set up.

The Bernatsky Garden. The car park

Along the avenues and cycle paths perennials and ornamental shrubs have been planted.

Kramatorsk. The Bernatsky Garden

Along with the park's old-timers there are hundred-year-old oaks; they have become a new green component of this corner of nature in an industrial city.

Kramatorsk. The Bernatsky Garden

For the further development of sport and to awaken team spirit among the townsfolk, new courts for beach volleyball and basketball and a football pitch have opened.

The Bernatsky Garden. The new sports grounds

For climbers and mountaineers a complex with obstacles and challenges has been built — a rope park.

The Bernatsky Garden. The rope park

Various attractions, modern children's playgrounds and a dance floor have rounded out the list of entertainment facilities.

The Bernatsky Garden. The dance floor

A little picnic can be arranged in the barbecue area, where gazebos and tables have been set up. Along with that, cafes and retail outlets in various corners of the park are open to visitors.

The Bernatsky Garden. A cafe

An asphalt path goes deep into the park and ends with a little bridge over the Druha Bilenka river.

The Bernatsky Garden. The little bridge over the Druha Bilenka river

A considerable area still remains to be developed and put in order. Among the plans are the creation of a karting track and other projects.

The Bernatsky Garden. A sport-themed installation by the Kramatorsk sculptor V. V. Hutyria

Of course, unfinished bits and flaws are noticeable. But the main thing is that what had been turning to ruins for decades has finally moved off dead centre, and the townsfolk have had their favourite place of rest returned to them.

Coordinates:48°43'3"N 37°33'5"E

The Bernatsky Garden. A layout plan