Vodianova Opens First Russia Playground

Russia’s most famous model has opened her first experimental playground in her homeland, and 2,500 people turned up to witness the event.

The Naked Heart Foundation, the charity created by uber model Natalia Vodianova, took the wraps of the debut space in Avtozavodsky Park, Nijni Novgorod, her hometown in Russia.

Vodianova joined local Nijni Novgorod politicians and famed Ruski art rockers Uma2rman who performed specially for the event celebrating the 3,000 square-meter playground, reserved for children up to the age of 18, including physically challenged kids.

The spokes-model for Calvin Klein, Vodianova founded the Naked Heart Foundation in 2005 to help create a brighter childhood for Russian children.

“Children are the future of my country. If I am far away, it doesn’t mean I do not care, on the contrary, I care more,” said Vodianova, who assisted the playground constructor KSIL in the design of the space in Nijni Novgorod, where she was discovered in a local market.

Divided into two parts, the Avtozavodsky Playground is deliberately fenced with a security guard to ensure the safety of the children. The left side is designed for younger children (ages 1-9) and has a large climbing ship, swings, and park benches, for parents to watch their children. The right side is designed for older children (10-18) and has skate ramps and basketball hoops, as well as taller climbing structures.

To date, Vodianova’s charity has raised over $700,000, some $312,000 of which was used to build the first playground. Plans are in the pipeline to open more playgrounds in Russia in 2007.

A small hoard of movers and shakers contributed to Naked Heart Foundation, including Mick Jagger, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alex Von Furstenberg, Helena Christensen, Steven Klein, Michael Stipe and Russian vodka impresario Rustam Tariko.

The foundation’s goal is to create modern playgrounds for less fortunate children in Russia, i.e. millions of kids currently playing in decaying playgrounds, in empty lots who deserve a safer environment.

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