One of the most famous landmarks of Shymkent is Ken Baba Park. This recreation area, located in the heart of the city, has been a favorite destination for residents and visitors for decades. In the summer of 2025, a new feature of the park was unveiled - a new fountain at the entrance and the restored statue of the "girl who shed her feet." This renovation not only emphasized the aesthetic value of the park, but also highlighted its historical and cultural value.

On one of the summer days, which coincided with August 5, the city's residents admired the new fountain. The element that immediately attracted the attention of the public was a sculpture with a delicate composition in the water stream. This is the image of a little girl washing her feet in the water, a familiar and warm sight for Shymkent residents. The sculpture was in the park in previous years, but over time it disappeared. Its return is a sign of respect for the city's history. The architecture of the fountain combines modern elements and classical forms, turning the entrance to the park into a real cultural gateway. When the lighting system is turned on in the evening, the water stream is painted in different colors, becoming a new place of rest for the city's residents.

The history of Ken Baba Park stretches back several decades. Initially, this place was one of the main green areas in the city. Over time, elements of an ethnopark appeared in the park, and national architectural symbols were installed. However, after the temporary use of the land was granted in 1999, a number of commercial facilities were built, and the original appearance of the park changed. In 2024, the Shymkent city administration worked through the courts to return the park to state ownership. This decision was supported by the city's residents, because the park is not only a place for recreation, but also a part of the city's culture. By the summer of 2025, an initiative to install a new fountain was implemented as part of the restoration work on the park territory.

Ken Baba Park has previously undergone various beautification and irrigation projects. For example, in the early 2000s, small fountains, artificial ponds, and elements of national architecture were installed on the territory of the park. In 2017, several attractions and children's playgrounds were renovated in the park. However, the peculiarity of the new fountain is that it returns a historical symbol. While previous reconstructions were mostly aimed at updating modern infrastructure, this time the main goal was to revive cultural memory.

The installation of fountains has not only aesthetic value, but also has an impact on the irrigation system. Water sources in city parks are not only for beauty, but also as an additional source of moisture for greenery. In Ken Baba Park, the fountain water works in a closed circulation system. This is an ecological solution that prevents excessive water consumption. In previous years, some park fountains used running water, which led to a large amount of water being wasted. The current system allows you to recycle filtered water and water plants and lawns. In comparison, in the 2010s, fountains installed in several parks in Shymkent were not connected to the irrigation system. This caused the lawns to dry out in the summer. And the new fountain technology is a modern method that saves water and ensures constant watering of lawns.

The opening of the new fountain was warmly received by the city's residents. Comments like "childhood memories have returned" were common on social media. Adults associated the sculpture with their own childhood, while young people were delighted with the new photo spot. Culturally, this renovation is an example of the city's integration with the modern look, without forgetting its past. Ken Baba Park is a reminder that it is not just a place for walking, but also a part of urban culture.

The city administration has announced plans to add additional landscaping, upgrade playgrounds, and enhance nighttime lighting in Ken Baba Park. It is also planned to open a small concert venue and a craft fair on the park's territory. These changes are aimed at turning the park into a center for culture and art, rather than just a place to relax.

The new fountain in Ken Baba Park is a significant innovation that will highlight the cultural image of Shymkent. It combines the past and the present, tradition and modernity, and brings joy to the city's residents. Compared to projects of previous years, this initiative was not just an architectural innovation, but also a symbol of the restoration of historical justice. In terms of irrigation, the use of a modern water circulation system will increase environmental efficiency and allow the green areas of the park to remain attractive for a long time. If this experience is applied in other recreation areas of the city, water conservation and lawn care will significantly improve. The opening of the fountain in Ken Baba Park is not just the appearance of an architectural object, but an event that has renewed the spiritual breath of the city and has become a common pride of residents.