Yerevan Welcomes Its Largest Public Playground

On September 21, Armenia’s Independence Day, Yerevan welcomed its largest inclusive and free public playground located in the 6th section of the Circular Park. 

 In May, the Keron Development Foundation and the Kentron Administrative District signed a memorandum announcing the launch of a project of creating three new public playgrounds in Yerevan. 

The first playgroung, “Karmrakhayt – Secrets of the Hidden River,” is located in the 6th section of the Circular Park, next to the Saint Gregory Lusavorich Cathedral. Covering 2,000 m², it is designed for children agef from 0 to 12, regardless of their physical abilities. 

The playground is thematically designed as an imaginative water world with waves, fish, and islands. At its center stands a play structure in the form of the Armenian river trout -karmrakhayt, which, together with wave-shaped hanging nets, creates a 27-meter-long playing area where children can climb, slide, and play both individually and in groups. The playground offers a wide variety of play types – adventure games with climbing nets and tunnels, sensory and tactile play based on natural materials, slides, and more. 

 “Karmrakhayt” is designed so that every child can find elements suited to their age and stage of development. It features play structures that meet international standards and are already in use in advanced European cities, such as swings and slides from world-leading manufacturers, as well as equipment custom-designed specifically for Yerevan. 

During the design process, the opinions of parents and local residents were taken into account through focus groups and discussions, with many of the insights incorporated into the final project. 

For parents’ convenience, the playground includes technologically equipped benches offering full visibility of the entire area. 

 The playground has been developed with a strong focus on children’s safety and high environmental standards. Soft gravel and rubber surfaces were used in the main areas, over 50% of the play structures are made of natural wood, and 40% of the materials are recycled, some of them collected from the oceans. A priority was also placed on preserving existing greenery and creating new landscaped zones. 

The design, implementation, and oversight of the project involved both local and international organizations with years of experience in the field. 

 This playground is not only a place for children to play but also a thoughtfully designed environment that fosters imagination, motor skills, and social interaction.