parks
As war grinds on, Ukrainian climbers build a new outdoor culture inspired by Yosemite
By Illia Novikov, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· July 5, 2026
· 4 min read
Atop a steep granite cliff overlooking a river about two hours' drive west of Kyiv, hundreds of people pitched tents on a festival camping ground. By day, they climbed the rock face, swam in a nearby reservoir or enjoyed stand-up paddling. As evening fell, live bands and DJs took over the stage a...
Key takeaway The Stoned Climbers festival, which took place last week in the Zhytomyr region, is Ukraine’s biggest outdoors event combining climbing and live music.
Why this matters in The Pearland
In Pearland , outdoor enthusiasts often look to local parks and nature reserves for recreation and relaxation. The story of Ukraine's Stoned Climbers festival, which combines climbing and live music, offers a unique perspective on the importance of community-driven outdoor events. While Pearland's own outdoor scene is far removed from the wartime context of Ukraine, the idea of creating inclusive spaces for people to gather and engage in outdoor activities resonates locally. Pearland's parks and recreation department has been working to expand outdoor recreational opportunities, and events like the Stoned Climbers festival demonstrate the potential for community-led initiatives to bring people together and promote a sense of well-being. As Pearland continues to grow and develop its outdoor spaces, the success of events like the Stoned Climbers festival can serve as a model for building a vibrant and inclusive outdoor culture in the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 5, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Atop a steep granite cliff overlooking a river about two hours' drive west of Kyiv, hundreds of people pitched tents on a festival camping ground. By day, they climbed the rock face, swam in a nearby reservoir or enjoyed stand-up paddling. As evening fell, live bands and DJs took over the stage a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 5, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Illia Novikov, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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