Association of Parks has started its activities in Moscow

Today, on April 12, the beginning of the activities of the Non-Profit Corporate Organization Association for the Development of Urban Parks and Public Spaces’ was officially announced. The organization will bring together industry experts with practical experience in the operation and management of the largest parks, gardens, museum-reserves and public spaces of Moscow, Moscow region and other Russian regions.

The press conference on the occasion of the Association of Parks launch was attended by the heads of institutions that have already joined the NPCO, as well as members of the Council, including the Chairman of the Council, the Director of Sokolniki Park Andrey Lapshin; the Chairman of the landscape design and gardening sector, the Director of the Botanical Garden of the MSU «Apothecary Garden» Alexey Reteyum; the Deputy Chairman of the sector of museum-reserves and estates, the Deputy Director of Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve Kamil Baydildin; the Chairman of the sector for interaction with the Moscow region and regions of the Russian Federation, the Director of the Joint Directorate Khimki Parks Alexander Kvasnikov, as well as the Deputy Chairman of the Zoological Parks sector, the adviser to the Director for strategic positioning of the the Moscow Zoo Yulia Bikbulatova.

Andrey Lapshin emphasized that the main task of the Association is to popularize parks, as the development of urban parks, gardens and public spaces contributes to the creation of comfortable living conditions in large cities, improving the environmental and social component, the development of leisure and tourist sectors, promotion of active and healthy lifestyles, as well as increasing the investment attractiveness of cities.

Alexey Reteyum noted that the idea of creating the Association is very well-timed: «We needed an independent platform for experts to exchange their experiences. Until recently, many directors of gardens and parks have never even met each other. And now we will be able to share our knowledge and make favourite places of urban dwellers leisure more comfortable by our joint efforts».

The preliminary action plan of the Association for 2018 was also announced: participation in industry festivals and forums, educational meetings with students of leading Moscow universities, integration into major specialized events with its own thematic program, as well as a series of educational seminars for industry employees in Moscow and regions of Russia. In autumn, the Association will hold its own international conference in Zaryadye Park with the involvement of foreign experts.

NPCO Association of Parks expresses its gratitude to all members of the Council and Park managers for their support!