Unity of thoughts and a cozy courtyard: how residents of the Oktyabrsky district created a new space

In the Oktyabrsky district, a courtyard holiday was held, timed to the opening of the next civic initiative and the Day of National Unity. Outside the street. Levkova, 12 and 14, has an updated playground. Details - in the material of the correspondent of the agency "Minsk-Novosti".

The initiative from below: how residents transformed their yard

The renovated site appeared due to the active position of the residents themselves. The project was initiated by Valentina Prokofieva. She told how the idea came about and what awaits the yard in the future.

- Our houses are 23. And the state in which they are inside, outside, on the local territory is the merit of people. Our residents always have ideas, and we always wanted to modernize this playground, said Valentina Leonidovna.

The idea has long been in the air, but to implement it needed a push. Help came from MP Ruslan Furs. He was the one who helped organize the civil initiative.

V. Prokofieva herself created the project, she came up with what the updated platform would look like. According to her, it was the coverage that became the starting point from which she started in the project. And although she was assisted in the design, the main creative and organizational work fell on the shoulders of the most enterprising lady.

Residents are not going to stop there. They already have new ideas, and Prokofieva is ready to implement them.

- We have new ideas, so let’s continue. We want to put up a fence so the kids don't run out on the roadway. We have a small one, and we want to make another one higher, the initiator added.

Another dream of residents is a mural on the wall between the houses. People ask to decorate the wall to improve the view.

- And we also want a mural with a beautiful image of nature. People from the balconies open not the most pleasant view, — shared plans V. Prokofiev.

Children's view: "It's a lot of fun here"

While adults discussed civic initiatives and plans for the future, children became the main experts at the festival. They will have to use the updated platform. And judging by the reviews, they liked the result.

Special attention of the children attracted a new rubber coating. One of the young visitors has already tested it for strength.

- I've already fallen on it - it doesn't hurt at all. I've seen it, so I like it's safe here. It's not sand, the boy shared.

The other kids didn't skimp on emotions either:

- I like that there are so many places to play: swings, carousels, slides. It's a lot of fun.

The look of parents: "Everything bright, uplifting"

Parents also appreciated the change. One of the first assessment was given by Julia, the mother of a one-year-old baby:

- A very comfortable, comfortable area, especially for a child who takes the first steps, is a comfortable coating. Basically, everything is bright, uplifting.

According to her, the new space was to the liking and the smallest tenant of the yard.

- The child really likes it. Everyone is interested, even in one year, because everything is bright, she added.

Parents note that thanks to the civil initiative, the yard has become not only safer, but also noticeably cozy. So, the kids have a favorite place for walking, and adults – a reason for joy.

The feast that united the court

Since the morning, the atmosphere of this holiday reigned in the courtyard. For children, exciting master classes worked, and cheerful animators did not let you get bored a minute. However, the main event was not only fun, but also the official launch of a new civic initiative designed to make the urban space more comfortable.

The guest of honor of the event was the Chairman of the Minsk City Council of Deputies Artem Tsuran. He warmly greeted the audience and congratulated them on the state holiday - National Unity Day.

- This holiday is young, we celebrate it only from 2021, but I think it is filled with a variety of meanings, he said.

In his speech, A. Tsuran emphasized the deep historical background of the holiday, recalling the difficult, tragic, but at the same time heroic pages of the country's history. Concluding his speech, the speaker wished everyone peace, prosperity and understanding:

- First of all, I would like to wish everyone peace, prosperity, mutual understanding, so that we will continue to build our flourishing independent Belarus together and develop our beautiful and cozy city of Minsk. Happy holiday! Thank you all for participating and creating this site.

Only together

The story of Valentina Prokofieva and her neighbors is a vivid example of how civic initiative helps to transform urban space. Thanks to the activity of residents and the support of the deputy corps, the yard on the street. Levkova is becoming cozy and safer. And, as Tsuran noted at the holiday, there are more than 50 such initiatives in the capital this year. And every year they will become more and more because they are caring people who want to see their city comfortable and beautiful.

The holiday of the courtyard became a vivid confirmation that only through joint efforts – the authorities and residents – it is possible to create a space in which it will be comfortable and joyful to live.

Photo by Diana Shabala