Beautiful Sunday in Lake Meadow Park

Water to the fountains in Peterhof flows by gravity from the Ropsha Heights. This complex hydrotechnical system, created in the 18th century, is not only functional but also very beautiful. Several parallel canals form the basis of this hydrotechnical system, but along the way the water also fills numerous ponds and lakes. Some of these lakes are of natural origin, but were deepened and enlarged during the creation of the reservoir complex. Others were dug on purpose so that the overall size of the reservoirs would allow all water supply objectives to be met.

About midway between the Ropsha Heights and the fountains is the Lake Meadow Park. The alleys of the park are laid between the reservoirs. You can walk between two canals, you can walk between a canal and a lake, in any case there will be water surface on both sides. It seems to be the most obvious and understandable system of organizing space. But, although it is very funny, we got lost in this park when we first came here.

Or rather, it wasn't exactly like that... We didn't know from which side we should enter the park, so we took a path in an arbitrary place, and wandered in the bushes for quite a long time before we managed to get to the lakes. Subsequently, I learned several convenient ways to get into this park without overcoming difficult obstacles.

Although the water runs by gravity, the elevation difference is small and the slope of the terrain is almost imperceptible. Nevertheless, for the first half of the walk you don't just walk along the beautiful lake, but gradually climb higher and higher. Therefore, even if you get very tired, the way back will seem easier.

There are dam bridges over the canals, which regulate the water pressure. Such bridges are quite common. They look simple and functional. It immediately becomes clear that this park was not intended for visiting the imperial personages - in palace parks you will not see such simple structures, there each bridge was built on a separate architectural project.

When I get tired of going up, I take a short break on the lakeside and then cross one of the bridges and head in the opposite direction. In this part of the park, three canals run parallel, and reservoir lakes stretch along the canals. For the way back, I choose an alley that runs along the outermost canal. At the far edge of the park, this alley curves around to circle a small lake. The park ends at this point, but the water in the canals continues its run.