Hugo Chávez Park in Minsk to Get Major Sports Upgrade

In the green zone of the capital of Belarus, significant changes are coming that will especially delight fans of an active lifestyle and professional athletes. Hugo Chávez Park, located in the Kamennaia Horka microdistrict, will soon receive a large-scale sports addition – a roller-ski track over 2 kilometers long, as well as a number of other sports facilities.

From wasteland to sports oasis: the new stage of the park’s development

Hugo Chávez Park, officially opened in July 2024, was a true transformation for an area that until recently was an overgrown wasteland. It now already features children’s playgrounds, workout zones, a cascade staircase for skateboarders, play areas, rides, and even a café. However, as it turned out, this is only the beginning of positive changes. The General Director of “Minsklensstroy,” Alexander Ermolovich, told the “Minsk-News” agency about the prospects for further development of this area: “Phase 4 of Hugo Chávez Park is currently being designed. This area will be sports-oriented. It is planned to include a roller-ski track over 2 km long, an ice arena, volleyball courts, mini-football fields, and streetball zones,” the director shared his plans.

A comprehensive approach to sports infrastructure

A key feature of the new stage of the park’s development will be its clear sports focus. In addition to the roller-ski track, which can be used for cross-country skiing in winter and roller-ski training in summer, the park will feature:

• An ice arena for skating enthusiasts and winter sports
• Specialized volleyball courts
• Mini-football fields
• Streetball zones

This comprehensive approach will create a versatile space for year-round sports activities for both professionals and active lifestyle enthusiasts.

A city tradition of beautification

The development of Hugo Chávez Park is part of a large-scale program to beautify Minsk’s green zones. As Alexander Ermolovich noted, the capital has established a good tradition of developing two new recreational areas in each city district every year. The opening of these areas is traditionally timed to coincide with Independence Day (July 3) and City Day, celebrated in September. “Mostly these are areas located near water bodies that were previously neglected. They are landscaped, equipped with children’s play equipment, sports facilities—in short, everything needed for a full-fledged rest for city dwellers,” the director of “Minsklensstroy” explained. At present, 63 recreational areas have already been equipped in Minsk, and their number continues to grow. This work is part of a systemic approach to creating a comfortable urban environment that combines opportunities for recreation, sports, and communion with nature.

A track for all seasons

The roller-ski track is of particular interest among the planned facilities. Its length of over 2 kilometers will allow not only amateur but also professional athletes to conduct full-fledged training sessions. Such tracks usually have an asphalt surface and can be used year-round: in winter for skiing, in warmer months for roller-ski training, as well as for running, Nordic walking, and cycling. This facility is especially valuable for the development of skiing sports in urban conditions, as it allows athletes not to interrupt their training process even in periods without snow. For ordinary city residents, it will be an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with a relatively new activity in Belarus—roller skiing.

Importance for the city and residents

The emergence of a full-fledged sports zone in Hugo Chávez Park is of great significance for the residents of Kamennaia Horka and all of Minsk. The new facilities will not only expand opportunities for sports but also create additional incentives for regular physical activity among citizens. The project is a vivid example of how previously undeveloped areas are transformed into modern multifunctional spaces that combine natural and infrastructural elements. Such transformations significantly improve the quality of the urban environment and create new opportunities for a healthy and active lifestyle. Exact completion dates for the new sports facilities have not yet been announced, but given the pace of “Minsklensstroy,” there is reason to hope that Minsk residents will be able to appreciate all the advantages of the renovated Hugo Chávez Park in the foreseeable future.