| Mersin Atatürk Park | |
|---|---|
 Mediterranean Sea shore | |
 Interactive map of Mersin Atatürk Park | |
| Location | Mersin, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 36°47′40″N34°37′43″E / 36.79447°N 34.62865°E /36.79447; 34.62865 |
| Area | 16 ha (40 acres) |
Atatürk Park is a public park inMersin,Turkey.
The park is aMediterranean coastal park ofAkdeniz district. The longer dimension of the park, which is more than 1,200 m (0.75 mi) lies along the sea coast in north east to south west direction. The total area of the park is 184,772 m2 (1,988,870 sq ft).[1] about 16 ha (40 acres). The east of the park is bounded by the harbour facilities and the west is bounded by the old Mersinmarina andEfrenk River. The north is bounded byİsmet İnönü Boulevard. Although, coastal park continues 7 km (4.3 mi) to south west beyond Müftü river, the name Atatürk Park is used only for the section between the harbour facilities and the marina.
The park is actually the fill area ofMersin Harbor dredging in the 1950s. In the 1970s, the park was designed by the municipality as an area for coffee houses and open air theaters. Up to the 2000s, the park was also reserved for domestic fairs. But after a new fair ground was established about 5 km (3.1 mi) away, the park lost most of its former activities. However, within the scope of a renewal project, the park is now transforming into a culture park.
The main excursion area is by the sea side. The amateur fishermen's club is at the west, next to the anchoring berth of the fishing boats (old marina). Most of the park is covered by flower beds. At the main entrance, there is a monumentcalledRefah Şehitleri Abidesi (Martyrs of Refah), commemorating the deaths of the sunken shipRefah during theWorld War II.Ottoman frigate Ertuğrul, another sunken ship of the late 19th century inJapan is also commemorated by this monument.
In 2008, at the north east of the park a 3,160 m2 (34,000 ft2) complex ofCongress and Exhibition Center (Turkish:Kongre ve Sergi Merkezi) has been established.[2] with conference and performance halls, a pool and related services.[3]