a wooded area in the green zone of cities, industrial centers, and workers’ settlements. Forest parks are established for recreational purposes—that is, for example, they improve areas by beautifying the landscape, and they are intended to be places where people can relax. Their size varies from several hundred to 2,000–3,000 hectares (ha).
When a forest park is laid out, existing wooded areas are taken into account, trees and shrubs are rearranged, improvements are made, new bodies of water are created or old ones repaired, footpaths are built, and recreational equipment is installed. In a forest park visitors can pick mushrooms, berries, fruits, and ornamental plants. These activities are prohibited in a regular park. However, hunting birds and animals is forbidden in forest parks. Hayfields and pastures are not maintained there. Plants of industrial and medicinal value may be picked only with special permission.
In forest parks forestry’s goals are to maintain the forest environment, preserve the undergrowth, and increase the life-span, hardiness, and decorative, healthful, and aesthetic qualities of the trees. Growing timber is a secondary concern. The condition of the soil is carefully watched to make sure that it is not too heavily trampled. When necessary, it is loosened and fertilized. In selected places wooden boxes are hung up for starlings, hollows are made in tree trunks for other birds, and feed boxes are set out for such animals as roe deer and squirrels. During harsh winters, the animals are provided with fodder.
V. S. LEVIN