50. Yıl Parkı

About 50. Yıl Parkı

50. Yıl Parkı sits on the hill above Ankara University's Cebeci campus in Çankaya and was created to mark the 50th anniversary of the Republic. Because of its height it works as a city viewpoint: Ankara Metropolitan Municipality calls it "the capital's city terrace", with viewing terraces from which much of Ankara can be seen from above, by day and at night. Turkish Wikipedia notes that the park was renewed and reopened in 2009. The municipality's 2013 report puts the park at about 130,000 square metres, while ANFA, the municipal company that runs it, gives 135,000 square metres, including some 50,000 square metres of green space with around 3,300 trees, 35,000 flowers and 10,000 shrubs. Two ponds of 3,500 and 1,300 square metres, linked by streams, hold ornamental fish, and there are picnic tables, gazebos and benches around the edges. For families there are four children's play areas, a mini funfair of about 10,500 square metres with a Ferris wheel and bumper cars, fountains and an ice-skating rink, according to the 2013 municipal report. Sports facilities include a five-a-side pitch, a basketball court, walking paths and outdoor fitness equipment. A covered café and tea garden on the highest point and shaded pavilions look out over the city, and ANFA lists parking for 593 cars. The park's landmark is its giant flagpole, visible from much of the city; the municipality gave its height as 110 metres in 2013, while ANFA now gives 120 metres. A large Turkish flag made of carpet lies on the slope below the funfair.