Nearly two kilometers (1930 meters) of the shoreline around the ponds in the Victory Dendropark in Odessa are cleaned daily by workers from the Municipal Enterprise "Service Center".
To maintain the area, the workers carry out a range of activities to keep the ponds and their surrounding territory in order.
This includes regularly cleaning the water's surface from fallen leaves, branches, and other debris; sweeping the nearby pedestrian paths and bridges; mowing the grass in the well's sanitary zone; repainting elements and performing repairs on the complex and its associated structures (paths, fences, bridges, islands, pumping station); cleaning the pumping station area and repairing drainage systems.
The history of the ponds in the Victory Dendropark dates back to 1960. In the 1970s, a concrete pond was built in the park, which later transformed into a system of four artificial lakes. The depth of the ponds ranges from 0.8 to 1.7 meters.
Currently, the ponds represent a hydraulic complex, which includes a system of waterfalls that, in addition to their aesthetic value, serve the function of mixing the water surface to prevent stagnation. Periodically, specialists from the enterprise introduce chlorella into the ponds, an effective natural means for water purification. It helps reduce the water's "blooming," enriches it with oxygen, improves overall water quality, and suppresses the growth of blue-green algae.
The fountain located in the ponds operates daily automatically from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Additionally, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the fountain is illuminated. The project "Light Show: Enchanted Pond" was implemented in 2017 under the Odessa Community Budget.
Moreover, since 2020, the ponds have been adorned with a grotto, which has become a popular photo zone for residents and visitors of the city. The idea for the grotto in one of Odessa's main green spaces belongs to Mayor Gennady Trukhanov, who proposed transforming the technological hub that supplies water to the park's ponds into a recreational area.
In the spring and summer, one can observe a pair of swans at the ponds, while in winter, the birds migrate to the more comfortable conditions of the Odessa Zoo.
Wild ducks also inhabit the area of the ponds, migrating for the winter, while turtles hibernate. The municipal workers have never specifically engaged in breeding fish or turtles in the pond; they appeared here spontaneously. Unfortunately, some species of turtles that are not adapted to life in water do not survive.
Moreover, the ponds are home to various fish species. In winter, when the surface of the ponds is covered with ice, the staff of the "Service Center" make holes in the ice around the perimeter of the ponds to ensure oxygen reaches the water.
Today, the hydraulic structure of the pond is a central component of the Victory Dendropark, featuring picturesque views, an extensive system of paths, diverse vegetation, and a rich animal world. The zones for active and more tranquil leisure are wisely combined for visitors of all age groups.
