Kubovy sady

Kubovy sady is a riverside park in Poděbrady, stretching along the Elbe (Labe) between the town weir and the castle. It's a favorite spot for locals and spa visitors alike, whether for a walk, a run, or simply resting in the shade of the trees right by the water.

What is there to see?

The park's main draw is its large, recently reconstructed children's playground. It includes a ship-shaped climbing structure with multiple play elements, a carousel, a spring rocker, a sandbox, a cable car, swings, a rope pyramid, climbing bars and poles, a wooden climbing wall, and a separate slide assembly nearby. Families with young children come here often, helped by the fact that the playground sits just a few hundred metres from the town centre.

Kubovy sady is also home to the Svatojánský pramen (St. John's Spring), a public drinking fountain and the only spring in Poděbrady dedicated purely to direct drinking. The well feeding it was drilled in 2005 to a depth of 110 metres, and the fountain itself was ceremonially opened to the public in June 2011. The mineral water rises under its own natural pressure, without pumping, and the fountain operates seasonally from April to October.

How to get there and what else is nearby?

The park lies along the cycling route connecting Poděbrady with Libice nad Cidlinou, making it a natural stopping point for cyclists riding along the Elbe. From the bus stop at Riegrovo náměstí to the weir, the walk through Kubovy sady covers roughly 400 metres.

Right next to the park, by the weir, is the stop for Poděbrady's sightseeing train, which takes visitors on a tour of the town. It departs on the hour, the ride lasts about an hour, and each train can carry up to 36 passengers. The train runs regularly from April to September, and sometimes into October if the weather holds.

The park also serves as a meeting point for local runners — the Běhej Poděbrady running club holds its training sessions here, making use of the paths along the river.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a children's playground in Kubovy sady? Yes. Following its reconstruction, the playground features a ship-shaped climbing structure, a carousel, a spring rocker, a sandbox, a cable car, swings, and a separate slide.

Can you drink mineral water here? Yes, the park has a public drinking fountain, the Svatojánský pramen, open seasonally from April to October, with water rising under natural pressure from a well 110 metres deep.

Does the sightseeing train stop at Kubovy sady? The sightseeing train's stop is by the weir right next to the park, with departures on the hour from April to September (and occasionally October).

How far is the park from the town centre? Walking through the park from the weir to the bus stop at Riegrovo náměstí takes you roughly 400 metres.