Gorky Park got its last facelift in 1985, and it shows. Once a classic Soviet postcard of massive statues, immaculate gardens, amusement rides and countless pavilions, the park was a staggering symbol of the state's allegedly ceaseless dedication to the amusement and welfare of its public.


Those days are over, and though some may be pleased to see the Gorky Park of Culture and Recreation become "less political," the changes in the park since the collapse of Communism are mainly distressing. Neatly tended walkways have been covered with puddles and broken glass, rides have rusted as their prices skyrocket, and young families have been replaced by hoods and aimless teenagers. Many Russians can no longer afford a day at the park. And many who can no longer care to.


Moscow's image-conscious mayor, Yury Luzhkov, has passed decrees demanding beautiful storefront windows and announced plans to drape choice buildings and bridges with 32.4 billion rubles' worth of decorative lights by the end of the year. But he has not shown the same zeal when it comes to the city's largest and most famous park.


In fact, only 20 percent of the park's 50-million ruble monthly operating budget is paid by the city. The park itself is expected to make up the rest, through admission fees and revenue from its motley assortment of attractions.


Some of these moneymakers -- even the new bungee jump -- are more or less appropriate additions. Some, like the auto showroom plunked down along the river embankment, are not. But business is business, and as long as Gorky Park is responsible for the lion's share of its upkeep, Muscovites can expect more and more overpriced, second-hand Western rides and contraptions to randomly crop up between the thickening weeds and piles of garbage.


There are more pressing problems in Moscow than public recreation, of course, and Luzhkov may not have money to burn on park improvement projects. He did, however, have 20 billion rubles to tack on to the Russian government's own 30 billion-ruble pledge to Wonder Park, the "Russian Disneyland" to be built outside of the city, which is scheduled to be only one-third completed seven years from now.


Putting $25 million on a long-shot, inaccessible fantasy park is a gamble this city can probably do without. Moscow has a park of its own already, an enormous, magnificent, historic space waiting to be rescued from decay. Sparkling shop windows and twinkling buildings and duty-free Wonder Parks are all admirable things, but if Moscow really wants to do something for its residents, it should start from the ground up. Making Gorky Park clean, safe and affordable is one of the first steps.