Elm Grove: A Verdant Haven in Bishkek

Founded in 1881 by the renowned gardener Alexei Fetisov and his students, Elm Grove remains an oasis and a source of pride for Bishkek. It was under their stewardship that most of the trees still flourishing in this expansive park were planted.

A mere two centuries ago, the area now occupied by modern Bishkek was a dry steppe. Forests were confined to riverbanks, and a web of narrow streams traversed the terrain. Fetisov transformed the reed beds from Tashkentskaya Street to the Chu River into a thriving elm grove, replacing solid thickets, reeds, and shrubs.

Post-World War II, the park was expanded, evolving into a beloved recreational space for city residents. To this day, Elm Grove remains an oasis within Bishkek, cherished by the Sverdlovsk district. The grove spans 143 hectares, nurturing over 50 tree species, including birch, oak, maple, poplar, thuja, and bird cherry bushes.