Natalia Vodianova opened the first playground in Russia funded by her charity, The Naked Heart Foundation

New York, November 2006; The Naked Heart Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of its first playground in Avtozavodsky Park, Nijni Novgorod, Russia.

The Avtozavodsky Playground opened on 12th November by Russian Top Model, Natalia Vodianova and the mayor of Nijni Novgorod with more than 2500 people attending the ceremony. The famous Russian band Uma2rman performed specially for the event. The playground is 3000 m2 and accessible to all children up to the age of 18, including physically challenged children.

Natalia Vodianova founded the Naked Heart Foundation in 2005 to help establish a brighter childhood for Russian children. To date, the charity has raised over $700,000 including $312,000 for building this first playground to the highest standards. The Naked Heart Foundation, which has received support from donors such as Rustam Tariko, Michael Filimonov, Mick Jagger, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alex Von Furstenberg, Helena Christensen, Steven Klein Michael Stipe and others, plans to open more playgrounds in Russia in 2007. The Naked Heart Foundation is affiliated with the American Council Alumni, who work closely with local municipality to assist in community outreach, by organizing sporting events, such as football and basketball. Natalia Vodianova stated: ‘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‘.

Notes on the Playground
Natalia Vodianova took part directly in the design of the Avtozavodsky Playground with KSIL, experts in the field of constructing playgrounds in Eastern Europe. The complex has been constructed with the support of local authorities and will have taken 12 weeks, from the agreement until the completion of the project.

The Avtozavodsky Playground is divided into two parts - each part is 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.

Notes on the Naked Heart Foundation
Natalia Vodianova established the Naked Heart Foundation to construct modern playgrounds for less fortunate children in Russia, spreading joy and happiness in her homeland.  Across Russia, millions of children are currently playing in decaying playgrounds, in empty lots and deserve a safer environment. Her foundation researches areas in need, designs a playground with a community, raises money to purchase the playground and then monitors the playground’s construction. All Naked Heart playgrounds are products of KSIL, approved by international safety codes.