| Lenin Gardens | |
| Native Name: | Ленин баҡсаһы |
| Native Name Lang: | ba |
| Type: | Urban park |
| Coords: | 54.7181°N 55.9431°W |
| Area: | 8hectare |
| Created: | 1867 |
| Status: | Open all year |
Lenin Gardens (Bashkir: Ленин баҡсаһы, Lenin baqsahy) was one of the first urban public parks in Ufa, Russia.[1] The park is located in the city center, near the Belaya river and facing Governor's House, currently the home of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bashkortostan; Republic House, the Bashkortostan seat of government; and the Bashkir Academic Drama Theater Mazhit Gafuri. In May 2022, the city began consideration of restoring the park's original name, Ushakovsky Park.[2]
The park was formally established on by decree of Tsar Alexander II. It was named in honor of Ufa Governate governor . The governor's residence overlooked a livestock pasture and in 1867 Ushakov ordered that a park be laid out on the site instead. Initially, the park was open only to local nobility; a sign at the gate barred "lower ranks and dogs" from entering.[3]
Over the years, the park's name has changed several times.[4]
1867–1917 Ushakovsky Park (Bashkir: Ушаковский паркы|link=no)[4]
1917–1945 Garden of Freedom (Bashkir: Азатлыҡ паркы)[4]
1945–1980 Alexander Matrosov Central Park of Culture and Recreation (Bashkir: А. М. Матросов исемендәге Үҙәк Мәҙәниәт һәм ял паркы)[4]
1980–now V.I. Lenin Gardens (Bashkir: В.И. Ленин исемендәге парк)[4]