Posted:
16.09.2021 15:30:00
Amusement parks: reboot season
Extreme ‘Mix’, frisky ‘Shells’ and classic ‘Waltz’... In total, 58 attractions worked in Minsk amusement parks last summer and will continue to delight visitors at least until the end of September. In case of good weather and high traffic, the season can be extended. We learned how Minsk entertainment and amusement parks are preparing to close the season and how they managed over the summer.
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The ‘wedding carousel’ will spin
Fans of excitement are frequent guests in the amusement parks of Gorky and Chelyuskintsev. Various activities can also be found in the parks named after the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution and the 900th anniversary of Minsk.
“Some of the most favourite rides are the bumper cars, ‘Zodiac’, ‘Waltz’, ‘Wild Train’, and, of course, the Ferris Wheel in Gorky Park. This is its calling card. It’s still the highest in Belarus. Moreover, the preferences of visitors don’t change from year to year,” observes Ruslan Kosevich, who heads the City Parks Department of Minskzelenstroy unitary enterprise. “In Chelyuskintsev Park, for example, popular attractions include the high-speed bumper cars, ‘Zodiac’, ‘Katalnaya Gora’, and the ‘Swans’. One of the family attractions in the parks is the ‘Mini Jet’; some also call it ‘Samoletiki’ (small airplanes). However, everyone has their own favourite attractions.”
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Though there are fewer visitors on cool days, even today there are those who want to ride with the breeze
The parks never cease to delight visitors with novelties from year to year. This year was no exception. A three-level labyrinth appeared in Gorky Park: a playground for children aged 3-12. The pavilion has been installed and video game simulators will soon appear. Meanwhile, from the side of Pervomaiskaya Street a very realistic ship has ‘moored’. Ruslan Kosevich tells us about the new attractions that they plan to please us next year, “There are plans to buy a children’s inflatable play complex in Gorky Park and an attraction-labyrinth for the park dedicated to Minsk’s 900th anniversary. This is a multi-level attraction with various slides, ladders and obstacles. We are also considering the possibility of acquiring a so-called ‘wedding carousel’ for Gorky Park: a classic carousel in the form of a lavishly decorated marquee with a leisurely rotating platform. There is no special wedding entourage in the decoration, only, maybe, the general impression of the structure, which looks like an overly decorated wedding cake, hence the name. Figures in the form of animals — on which visitors sit — not only move in a circle, but also make their own movement up and down, imitating the sensations of a ride on horseback. Such carousels are often seen in movies.”
For visitors’ convenience
The interest in recreation in Minsk amusement parks among residents has noticeably increased in comparison with the previous year. Of course, the pandemic played an important role in this, as many Belarusians spent the vacation season at home.
“The total number of visitors to all attractions from April to August exceeded 1.6 million people,” said Mr. Kosevich. “The rides in Gorky Park were especially popular. These were visited by 900,000 people, in the Chelyuskintsev Park — by 600,000 people. Compared to last year, park attendance increased by 178 percent. Traditionally, we recorded the largest number of visitors on weekends, pre-holidays and holidays. Our busiest day is Saturday.”
Several times a day, all attractions and amusement rides are sprayed with aerosol antiseptics. As for the seating arrangement of clients, mainly people come with families, so there is no need to distance them from each other. However, if a client wants to ride in a booth alone, the park administration can provide him with the opportunity.
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Though there are fewer visitors on cool days, even today there are those who want to ride with the breeze. It’s possible to buy a ticket for rides online. The cost varies from Br2.5 to Br6 ($1-2.4 equivalent), discounts are also provided. In the parks of Gorky and Chelyuskintsev, rides are now open from 11am to 9pm. On Friday, Saturday and holidays: an hour longer. Monday is a day off.
Ruslan Kosevich also spoke about payment services for the convenience of visitors, “This year, we have updated the electronic service. Since August, the ‘Oplati’ (Pay) application has been introduced, that is, it’s now possible to purchase a ticket via a smartphone using a QR code, thus avoiding staying in queues. Guests of Gorky and Chelyuskintsev parks can buy visitor cards, which can be used to ‘write down’ any amount for riding on carousels. You can use them all season. At the ticket offices of the parks, you can also purchase tickets for several carousels at once.”
End of the season
The season for amusement rides in the capital’s parks is drawing to a close. The corresponding decision is traditionally made taking into account weather conditions. It’s forbidden to use mechanisms and electrical equipment during rain and at low temperatures for safety reasons. The rides will close on September 26th to then open in mid-April 2022.
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The season for amusement rides in the capital’s parks is drawing to a close
“At the end of the season, we’ll begin dealing with the conservation of attractions, carry out fault identification for each of them, develop a repair plan, purchase the necessary parts and assemblies,” Mr. Kosevich emphasised.
Even after the amusement season closes, the recreational areas are still available for walks. In addition, the residence of Father Frost will open in Gorky Park by the New Year holidays. Here you can cheerfully celebrate Christmas, New Year and Maslenitsa.
Finally, Ruslan Kosevich adds, “Next spring, approximately in March-April, a special commission will inspect the metal structures of city rides, carry out cargo tests and electrophysical measurements. If necessary, worn-out parts, assemblies and mechanisms will be replaced. Subject to compliance with safety standards, Gospromnadzor will issue permission to launch attractions. As for the opening date of the season of attractions, it all depends on the weather. This will be roughly mid-April.”
By Inna Gorbatenko
Even after the amusement season closes, the recreational areas are still available for walks
The ‘wedding carousel’ will spin
Fans of excitement are frequent guests in the amusement parks of Gorky and Chelyuskintsev. Various activities can also be found in the parks named after the 50th anniversary of the Great October Revolution and the 900th anniversary of Minsk.
“Some of the most favourite rides are the bumper cars, ‘Zodiac’, ‘Waltz’, ‘Wild Train’, and, of course, the Ferris Wheel in Gorky Park. This is its calling card. It’s still the highest in Belarus. Moreover, the preferences of visitors don’t change from year to year,” observes Ruslan Kosevich, who heads the City Parks Department of Minskzelenstroy unitary enterprise. “In Chelyuskintsev Park, for example, popular attractions include the high-speed bumper cars, ‘Zodiac’, ‘Katalnaya Gora’, and the ‘Swans’. One of the family attractions in the parks is the ‘Mini Jet’; some also call it ‘Samoletiki’ (small airplanes). However, everyone has their own favourite attractions.”
Though there are fewer visitors on cool days, even today there are those who want to ride with the breezeThe parks never cease to delight visitors with novelties from year to year. This year was no exception. A three-level labyrinth appeared in Gorky Park: a playground for children aged 3-12. The pavilion has been installed and video game simulators will soon appear. Meanwhile, from the side of Pervomaiskaya Street a very realistic ship has ‘moored’. Ruslan Kosevich tells us about the new attractions that they plan to please us next year, “There are plans to buy a children’s inflatable play complex in Gorky Park and an attraction-labyrinth for the park dedicated to Minsk’s 900th anniversary. This is a multi-level attraction with various slides, ladders and obstacles. We are also considering the possibility of acquiring a so-called ‘wedding carousel’ for Gorky Park: a classic carousel in the form of a lavishly decorated marquee with a leisurely rotating platform. There is no special wedding entourage in the decoration, only, maybe, the general impression of the structure, which looks like an overly decorated wedding cake, hence the name. Figures in the form of animals — on which visitors sit — not only move in a circle, but also make their own movement up and down, imitating the sensations of a ride on horseback. Such carousels are often seen in movies.”
For visitors’ convenience
The interest in recreation in Minsk amusement parks among residents has noticeably increased in comparison with the previous year. Of course, the pandemic played an important role in this, as many Belarusians spent the vacation season at home.
“The total number of visitors to all attractions from April to August exceeded 1.6 million people,” said Mr. Kosevich. “The rides in Gorky Park were especially popular. These were visited by 900,000 people, in the Chelyuskintsev Park — by 600,000 people. Compared to last year, park attendance increased by 178 percent. Traditionally, we recorded the largest number of visitors on weekends, pre-holidays and holidays. Our busiest day is Saturday.”
Several times a day, all attractions and amusement rides are sprayed with aerosol antiseptics. As for the seating arrangement of clients, mainly people come with families, so there is no need to distance them from each other. However, if a client wants to ride in a booth alone, the park administration can provide him with the opportunity.
Though there are fewer visitors on cool days, even today there are those who want to ride with the breeze. It’s possible to buy a ticket for rides online. The cost varies from Br2.5 to Br6 ($1-2.4 equivalent), discounts are also provided. In the parks of Gorky and Chelyuskintsev, rides are now open from 11am to 9pm. On Friday, Saturday and holidays: an hour longer. Monday is a day off.
Ruslan Kosevich also spoke about payment services for the convenience of visitors, “This year, we have updated the electronic service. Since August, the ‘Oplati’ (Pay) application has been introduced, that is, it’s now possible to purchase a ticket via a smartphone using a QR code, thus avoiding staying in queues. Guests of Gorky and Chelyuskintsev parks can buy visitor cards, which can be used to ‘write down’ any amount for riding on carousels. You can use them all season. At the ticket offices of the parks, you can also purchase tickets for several carousels at once.”
End of the season
The season for amusement rides in the capital’s parks is drawing to a close. The corresponding decision is traditionally made taking into account weather conditions. It’s forbidden to use mechanisms and electrical equipment during rain and at low temperatures for safety reasons. The rides will close on September 26th to then open in mid-April 2022.
The season for amusement rides in the capital’s parks is drawing to a close“At the end of the season, we’ll begin dealing with the conservation of attractions, carry out fault identification for each of them, develop a repair plan, purchase the necessary parts and assemblies,” Mr. Kosevich emphasised.
Even after the amusement season closes, the recreational areas are still available for walks. In addition, the residence of Father Frost will open in Gorky Park by the New Year holidays. Here you can cheerfully celebrate Christmas, New Year and Maslenitsa.
Finally, Ruslan Kosevich adds, “Next spring, approximately in March-April, a special commission will inspect the metal structures of city rides, carry out cargo tests and electrophysical measurements. If necessary, worn-out parts, assemblies and mechanisms will be replaced. Subject to compliance with safety standards, Gospromnadzor will issue permission to launch attractions. As for the opening date of the season of attractions, it all depends on the weather. This will be roughly mid-April.”
1.6 million people: in comparison with last year, the attendance of Minsk attractions has increased by almost 180 percent
By Inna Gorbatenko
