Meshchyorsky National Park
Meshchersky National Park was founded in 1992 to preserve the unique natural, historical and cultural complexes of the Meshcherskaya lowland, using them for scientific and environmental purposes. Its area is 1,050 km2. The National Park is located on the territory of the following two districts of the Ryazan region: Ryazan, Klepikovsky.
The park has more than 120 villages with a total population of about 10,000 inhabitants and the town of Spas Klepiki with a population of about 7,000 inhabitants. This national park is located in the southern part of the central part of the Meshchersk region. The park is adjacent to the Meshchera National Park in the Vladimir Region from the north, the Sredne-Russian Upland is the southwestern boundary, the Oka-Don Plain is on the south side and the Oka-Tsninsk Plateau is on the east.
Approximately 30% of the park's terrain consists of fields where locals graze cattle and pick berries. Relatively recently, logging and peat extraction were carried out here on an industrial scale. The central part of this park is the Oka River basin and the main waterway is the Pra River. Its main tributaries are the Sovka, Belaya, Vozha, Urazh and Kad. The length of the Pra River is 162 km, and the basin area is more than 2,400 km2. The Meshchersky Park landscape is replete with lakes and marshes, most of which are unique natural monuments. Among them: lakes Beloe, Seleznevskoye, Ivanovskoye, Urtsevo, Martynovskoye, Sokarevo, Komgar, Belenkoe, Negar.
Coniferous and broadleaf forests predominate in Meshcherskiy Park. About 850 types of higher vascular plants grow on the park's lands. The richest types of families are Compositaceae, grasses, sedges, legumes, rosaceae, cruciferous, carnation, noricolor and buttercup, Lipaceae. The following types of flora mainly prevail: herbaceous plants.
There are approximately 46 types of rare plants in the park: bristly hemlock, water walnut, sword grass, and the finest cowl. The marshes in Meshchersky Park are often represented by huge massifs, where various types of marshes are combined. They are mainly associated with a whole group of rather rare types of plants and animals. The species composition of vertebrates in this park is huge.: There are Russian muskrats, black storks, and white-tailed eagles. Approximately 50 species of mammals found in this park are protected based on the decision of the regional authorities.
There are many historical, architectural, and cultural monuments in the Meshchersk National Park. The list of architectural monuments includes the following: Renovationist Church, Assumption and Intercession Churches, St. Nicholas and Transfiguration Churches. On the Ryazan Meshchera Square there are 21 archaeological sites - hillforts, parking lots, mounds and villages.
A huge number of lakes, rivers, and forests attract anglers, tourists, and game hunters to the park. Approximately 5,000 people visit the park per year.
