Is Ankara a Gray City?
Poems and songs have been written about Ankara’s cold. Winters in Ankara are harsh, but its snow and frost have a beauty of their own. Its spring is beautiful, as is its summer, with its mild breezes that don’t make you sweat. In summer, it’s delightful to spend time freely in open spaces and parks; in winter, walking through snow-covered parks with music in your ears is equally enjoyable.
Today, we will set aside Ankara’s history, architecture, and streets and directly step onto the grass. We’ll wander through parks, soak in the sounds of birds, the joy of children, and the lush greenery.
In this article, we planned to create a list that lets you choose the park closest to you or the one you wish to visit, without providing a specific route. The choice is yours!
First, you should know that Ankara is often called a gray city. This is because it’s a city of civil servants, and you frequently come across many people in suits on the streets, in the metro, especially during lunch breaks or after work hours. The weather can also be a bit hazy.
However, Ankara is fundamentally a green city. It surprises you with greenery and parks in places you wouldn’t expect, leading your path to nature.
The Park That Hosts Swans
When it comes to Ankara, the first place we need to mention is Kuğulu Park. This small park, featuring a pond, a few seating areas, and a children’s playground, is known as one of Ankara’s most iconic parks. But why?
Because it is home to 24 different bird species. The breeding season of swans and ducks is almost a celebration in the city, with people flocking to Kuğulu Park to see baby swans and ducklings.
As for the story of Kuğulu Park, it is located in the Kavaklıdere neighborhood. This area used to be home to poplar trees and had a stream running through it. The park got its name from the swans gifted by the Vienna Municipality when it was first established. This tradition of exchanging gifts has continued over the years. The black swans currently in Kuğulu Park were a gift from the Chinese government.
A Favorite Spot for Youth: Seğmenler Park
After greeting the swans and resting on the benches for a while, we head to Seğmenler Park, a favorite among young people, located just a 15-minute walk away.
Situated just below the Çankaya Mansion, this park was designed in honor of Atatürk’s 100th birthday and opened in 1983. It takes its name from the Seğmenler, a symbol of Ankara’s folklore, and features a monument depicting Atatürk alongside the Seğmenler.
Covering a vast area of 67,000 m², the park features pools, a children’s playground, and an amphitheater. During the summer months, it’s common to see young people with picnic chairs, families with strollers, and elderly folks out for a walk. Each small group fills the air with different music and unique entertainment. Young people sprawled on the grass enjoy the open air. If you happen to be in Ankara during winter, especially when it’s snowy, and want to spend time outdoors, Seğmenler Park remains one of the must-visit spots. The sight of the park blanketed in snow looks like something straight out of a postcard.
A Park for Kids and the Young at Heart
Now we move to a completely different part of the city. A metro ride of about an hour will take you to this park, called Harikalar Diyarı (Wonderland). Located in Ankara’s Sincan district, this park spans 1,300,000 square meters, making it one of the largest parks in Europe.
Inside the park, you’ll find soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, mini-golf courses, a go-kart track, a skate park, and an amphitheater with a capacity of 5,000 people.
It’s such a vast park that it’s easy to lose your way. There are many different entrances, exits, and alternative routes, but I’d like to remind you that the easiest way to get there is by metro. One of the park’s most unique features is the presence of characters from Turkish fairy tales. While you can spot world-famous characters, you’ll also find recreations of figures from Turkish folklore. From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to an unexpected encounter with Tom and Jerry, Aladdin and The Wonderful Lamp… just about every character you can imagine is here!
Harikalar Diyarı is a place where children have a blast, and where you, too, can enjoy embracing your inner child.
Traditional But Timeless: Gençlik Parkı
We’re now in Altındağ, Ulus—the historic heart of the city. Gençlik Parkı was established on a 28-hectare area that was once a swamp during the early years of the Republic. When the park was first built, it featured a garden for birds suited to Ankara’s climate, an open-air public theater, a children’s playground, a labyrinth, a swimming pool, and a 2,200-meter-long pathway for horseback rides. In 1951, inspired by a traveling amusement park from Italy, a permanent amusement park was established. The park still features a 150-meter-high Ferris wheel, fondly referred to as “Ankara’s Sun.”
In the past, people used to row boats on the lake within Gençlik Parkı. Currently, there is no large wetland area, but strolling through the park, especially among the fallen leaves in autumn, while enjoying the city view, remains a very pleasant experience. The park also houses a wedding hall, and Turkey’s first science center that is in collaboration with the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Institution (TÜBİTAK).
If you want to take a short stroll in Gençlik Parkı, you can easily reach it by walking from Kızılay or by taking the metro, bus, or minibus heading toward Ulus.
A Farm that Pioneered Turkish Agriculture: Atatürk Forest Farm (AOÇ)
The lands that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk collected piece by piece, intricately purchased from various individuals, were dedicated to pioneering Turkish agriculture under his command. The farm was donated to the Treasury by Atatürk in 1937.
Located on the largest green space in Ankara, the farm area houses the country’s largest zoo, a replica of Atatürk’s house in Thessaloniki (his birthplace), the historic Black Sea Pool, and the State Cemetery, among other notable sites. However, after the 1950s, the land was sold off in pieces, transforming it into its current state.
Today, the farm includes a zoo, accommodation facilities, a swimming pool, restaurants, and children’s playgrounds. Various products are produced at the dairy factory, winery, and juice factory located within the farm.
Currently serving as Anıt Park, Atatürk Forest Farm, with its rich history and the effort invested in its establishment during the early years of the Republic, remains one of Ankara’s most visited parks. Known for its AOÇ milk and ice creams, it continues to attract many visitors. Located in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara, Anıt Park is easily accessible by metro and bus.
A View of Ankara Through Its Parks
In Ankara, we spent a day immersed in nature, leaving behind all the historical and cultural layers of the city. We witnessed the blooming, greening, and golden hues of the environment. We learned the stories of the parks and discovered the beauty of the paths that led us through the city’s hustle and bustle, where we encountered trees and greenery along the way.
On this day, where we charted our own course, you can enjoy a cup of tea in any park, plan your route sitting on a park bench, practice yoga in Seğmenler Park, or simply take small breaks for yourself. The parks offer unique beauty in every season, allowing you to enjoy the pleasures of summer, winter, and spring.