The Ataturk Park may be reached by bus 9, or trolley bus 11. Both can be taken from Manas Avenue near to the intersection with Chuy Avenue.The statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk will be seen to the left as soon as you enter the park. He lived between 1881-1938, and has statues in many countries, particularly in the muslim faith dominated countries.He was controversial for his reforms, but still respected by the muslim world.
He repelled the attempted British and French invasion of Turkey in 1915-1916, during WW1, and then instituted many reforms making Turkey the first modern muslim state.He took power of Turkey at a time when the Ottoman Empire, which ruled between 14th-20th centuries, was crumbling. After the civil war of independence, Turkey became a republic in the early 1920's. His reforms included, making education free and compulsory, changing the Turkish alphabet and giving women voting rights long before this was commonplace in the western world.
The path leading past the statue is nicely shaded, and there are beautiful waterways and small fountains along the path. At the end of the smaller fountains, which seem to be on timers, is a large fountain where paths intersect. The Ala Archa river runs very close to the park, so there is an abundance of water for the fountains. Many children's activity areas are also set up in the park, so it is great for a family visit.
There are two main paths in the park. If you take the path to the right, it will lead to the Afghanistan monument.The monument is a tall concrete structure that curves around a central sculpture.The central sculpture is of a soldier with gun in his right hand, supporting an injured colleague with his left hand.Afghan monuments tend to show the soldiers in a defeated pose.The years of the war 1979-1989 are at the base of the monument, and the names of the fallen soldiers on plaques to the right. To the rear of the statue is a small "man stone", which represents ancient Kyrygz burial culture.The names of fallen soldiers is also at the rear of the monument. This monument was opened in 1996.
There are a few F&B options in the park, including shaslik which we could smell as we strolled through the park. Immediately outside the park are quite a few fast food restaurants, and a few local restaurants. There are not many attractions in this area, but a visit here may be combined with a visit to Victory Park, which is approximately 3 km south east. The park has free entry, but didn't seem to be open 24 hours.