Government funds new recreational zone in Yerevan gorge

The Armenian government has approved the allocation of 172 million drams ($420,000) from the state budget to the Yerevan Municipality for the development of a new recreational zone in the Hrazdan Gorge.

Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Minister Davit Khudatyan presented the proposal at Thursday’s cabinet meeting, noting the funds will be redirected to support the project. Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan said the site, located about five kilometers from the Arabkir district, will include leisure areas, sports grounds, a cinema space and a café.

Avinyan emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader concept to redevelop the gorge, which has undergone extensive ecological and cultural assessments. He added that the city council plans to designate the entire gorge as a specially protected community area once legislative changes are enacted.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the Hrazdan Gorge project is one of three major urban green initiatives, alongside plans for Dalma Gardens and a forest park in Nork-Marash. Avinyan highlighted that Yerevan has created 60 hectares of new green zones with irrigation systems over the past four years, exceeding the combined total of the previous 22 years.