Kommunar: Riverside Promenade and Park History

Kommunar tells its park history along the river: The riverside promenade on the Izhora is part of the public space “Yablonevy Sad,” whose name recalls a much older apple-tree park. The “Bumazhnaya Strelka” park, which opened in 2025, adds a second layer of industrial history. Here, the riverbank, landscaped open spaces, and the heritage of the paper mill come together.

Riverside Promenade and Two Park Histories

The “Yablonevy Sad” public space includes a riverside promenade on the Izhora, laid out in 2020 near MKU “FOK ‘Olimp’.” The first construction phase added four pavilions with barbecue areas along the river, paved footpaths, wooden pergolas, and a rotunda. Public swings and loungers were installed on the riverside deck.

The name “Yablonevy Sad” comes from a park with apple trees laid out on the banks of the Izhora in the early 20th century. The name thus refers to an earlier park, while the riverside promenade was created in 2020 as part of the public space. Anyone interested in Kommunar will encounter different periods in the history of the riverbank here.

The “Bumazhnaya Strelka” park, ceremonially opened in 2025, is also connected with Kommunar’s past. Its concept gives special attention to the area’s historical heritage and links it to the “Kommunar” paper mill. The mill marked the 180th anniversary of its founding in 2025. Unlike “Yablonevy Sad,” the park’s concept centers on its connection to the paper mill.

Nature and Architecture in the Wider Travel Destination of Leningrad Oblast

A distinct regional highlight lies in the wider travel destination of Leningrad Oblast: Vepssky Forest Nature Park is in the far east of the oblast and comprises seven nature reserves with particularly strict protection rules. Numerous lakes characterize the park; the largest is Lake Lerinskoye in the reserve of the same name. Its outstanding natural features include well-preserved old spruce and pine forests in the “Vepssky Les” and “Ashchozersky” reserves. These forests are important for many organisms that can survive only in forests undisturbed by economic activity.

The Veps, a small people of Russia with their own culture and traditions, have traditionally lived in Vepssky Forest Nature Park. Brown bears are found there in greater numbers, and the wolverine, which is extremely rare in the region, has also been recorded. Sightings of these animals are not guaranteed. The landscape, nature conservation, and Veps culture give this part of Leningrad Oblast a different focus from Kommunar’s landscaped riverside spaces.

The Ladva Trail leads through glacially shaped terrain and middle-taiga vegetation to the Veps village of Ladva. It also leads to Lake Ladva in Podporozhye District. The route description thus brings together landforms, vegetation, and a cultural point of interest.

Another cultural highlight in the wider travel destination of Leningrad Oblast is Koporye Fortress. It is a museum and a monument to ancient Russian stone architecture. It has survived in its present form since the 16th century, and parts of its masonry date from the 13th century. The walls and towers must not be climbed because of their emergency condition. You can visit without a guide using the “Koporskaya Krepost 2.0” multimedia guide; check its availability when planning your visit.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can decide which themes you would like to shape your stay: Kommunar’s Izhora riverbank and park history, or the natural and cultural heritage of the wider travel destination of Leningrad Oblast.

Discover more destinations: Svetogorsk, Roshchino, Enkolovo, Kingisepp, Pervomayskoye, Lebedevka, Voznesenye, Sarzhenka.

Back to the wider travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.