Hello everyone. Today my friends and I came to Mežaparks. It’s a huge forest park. Actually calling it a forest park might not be entirely accurate. It’s more of a wooded area. When we want to reach the lakeside, we can drive almost right up to the water’s edge thanks to the paved road. I’ve loved this place ever since I first saw it because, even though it’s in the city, being here makes you feel like you’re far away, perhaps by the sea. It’s such a wonderful feeling to be here. The first time I came here, I was with a relative who studied at a technical school very close to here, in Sarkan Daugava. They told me how they used to walk here often. Back then, the houses around here were quite old, from the Soviet era. Now of course, everything has been modernized and the houses look very different.
Mežaparks is one of the most beautiful and greenest places in Riga. There’s a fun park here offering games and activities for kids of all ages. You can take long walks, rollerblade on the paved roads, ride a bike or enjoy the playgrounds. In the summer you can sunbathe by the beach and in winter, you can ski. The natural beauty here is breathtaking. You can have a picnic by lake Ķīšezers, go fishing or visit the hill covered in stunning flowers. And the Riga Zoo is very close to this area.
We started walking. There’s a trail here, but I find it a bit challenging to navigate. Apparently there used to be a children’s railway and an actual working locomotive here. This narrow-gauge railway operated from 1956 to 1990. A bit further along, there’s an open-air stage where sports events are held. There’s also a proper frisbee golf course in the forest. We talked about learning the rules, getting some frisbee discs and giving it a try. It seems like a fantastic activity.
The forest is very beautiful. Music plays in the background, creating a delightful atmosphere as we walk deeper into the park. I can’t remember the exact path we took, but after a while, we reached the center of Mežaparks. This trail is quieter, very peaceful. We came to an area known as the Green Theatre. Here benches are placed among the greenery and the seating areas are numbered. This space is occasionally used for events and it’s a really charming theater setting.
There’s a large playground for children here and apparently, there used to be a giant amusement park. Now there are several smaller entertainment areas. The most interesting part though, is the blend of old-style structures with a new, refreshing atmosphere. Everything feels nostalgic but also modernized, which is quite beautiful.
It seems there’s a small café somewhere around here where you can sit quietly, maybe enjoy a coffee and relax. The scent of the forest and the natural tranquility make this place a true delight. Everything is so well-organized and maintained, creating a perfect balance between the old ambiance and modern activities.
According to my friend, there used to be a ferry from Riga to this area. They’d board the ferry with their parents, come here to stroll through Mežaparks and then take a tram back home. Such lovely childhood memories. The water here is really beautiful and warm. I wish you could be here to experience the scent and the serene atmosphere with us.
We arrived at an area near the boat club. Here you can rent kayaks, canoes and even catamarans. It’s such a beautiful spot, surrounded by natural beauty. There are even a few private homes here. People come to this place and live peaceful, quiet lives, constantly surrounded by the stunning views we admired during our walk. The shoreline is gorgeous, although it can sometimes be disturbed by harsh, cold winds. Luckily the weather is perfect today.
We saw bamboo trees. I once tried growing one in my garden, but it grew so large that I had to remove it. Now I realize I should have kept at least one. It can grow to the size of a massive tree and even bloom. Nature is so powerful. It thrives on its own. By the way, this area borders the zoo and the scenery here is really spectacular. It’s impressive to think of people looking out over the lake from their homes.
Everything feels so natural and harmonious here. A little further along, children are playing in the park and the sense of balance and peace is delightful. The older houses with their large gardens are also very charming. People genuinely love this place.
There’s another fascinating detail: the blend of new and old structures creates a unique atmosphere. Everything seems to fit together seamlessly. After strolling along the shoreline for a while, we decided to head out as night began to fall. It was a wonderful day.
If you ever find yourself in this area, I highly recommend visiting Mežaparks.
