A rope park was opened in Polotsk as part of the implementation of the «Belmed» project

Веревочный городок открыли в Полоцке в рамках реализации проекта «Белмед»
Rope town opened in Polotsk as part of the EU-UN project "BELMED" – "Prevention of non-communicable diseases, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and support for the modernization of the healthcare system in the Republic of Belarus". Here, everyone can experience the feeling of flight and get a thrill.


Active recreation and entertainment parks, common in Europe, are becoming popular in our country as well. More and more people prefer to spend their free time in an original, exciting, and healthy way. The application of the Polotsk Center for Local Initiatives is in line with the trends of the times.

The European Union provided financial support for the initiative "Chasing Health," the goal of which is to promote the development and successful life activities of the local population through the introduction of innovative directions of active recreation. Funds in the amount of 250 million rubles were allocated for the purchase of equipment, design, and installation of the rope town, located in the forest area on the territory of the tourism and local history department of the district center for children and youth.

The children's course consists of 5 stages, and the adult course – of 14 stages of trials. Wooden platforms are fixed on the trees, between which suspension bridges and logs are stretched, and various obstacles are organized. Having overcome zigzags and loops, you can fly with the wind on a trolley, experiencing a powerful adrenaline rush. Drive and extreme are guaranteed! Now, to feel like a climber, you don't need to travel to distant countries – you can have exciting adventures right near your home. This type of pastime, according to specialists, is an excellent remedy for diseases; it trains willpower, develops attention, agility, self-confidence, and, of course, offers a great opportunity to escape from everyday life and experience unforgettable emotions.

– The rope town is a wonderful gift for both adults and children. It will become a highlight of our city, as there are no similar training complexes in any of the neighboring regions. In the future, we plan to continue developing this active recreation center to ensure it operates at maximum efficiency, – noted **Sergey Leychenko, Deputy Chairman of the Polotsk District Executive Committee**.

According to **Inga Ulosevich, Head of the Department of Tourism and Local Lore**, more than 500 young Polotsk residents are currently engaged in the department's clubs. Training in the rope town will be free for them, while other extreme sports enthusiasts will pay for the rental of tourist equipment. No special skills are required to complete the course or descend on the trolley. An experienced instructor will explain what needs to be done. Safety is guaranteed by reliable insurance.

Among the first to test the most challenging adult course was **Alexey Klinishov, Deputy Head of the Department of Education, Sports and Tourism**, while representatives of the deputy corps tested the high-speed descent on a stretched rope. Competitions as part of the district tourist rally were held on the children's course immediately after the opening.

Larisa MALASHEnya, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye vesti".