Here in Berlin, have you seen this park? This is Regine-Hildebrandt-Park. It is named after the Brandenburg politician Regine Hildebrandt. This urban park is located in Hellersdorf. The park spans 26,800 square meters.
Regine-Hildebrandt-Park is bordered by several streets. These include Riesaer Straße, Mylauer Straße, and Boulevard Kastanienallee. The U-Bahn line to Hönow also runs alongside it.
Let’s step back in time. After the political changes, there were plans to develop this area. It was to become a city park along the Hellersdorf Graben. The MEGA investor group was supposed to create it. This was to offset construction permits in Hellersdorf. The group went bankrupt and nothing happened for years. The Marzahn-Hellersdorf city planning office stepped in. They used 1.175 million euros from the Stadtumbau Ost program. S.T.E.R.N. contributed another 176,000 euros.
The park opened on June 21, 2007. At the opening, it was named after Regine Hildebrandt. Many people attended the event. These included Hella Dunger-Löper and Petra Pau. Dagmar Pohle, Elske Hildebrandt, and Norbert Lüdtke also came.
Between 2007 and 2009, more construction took place. About one million euros from Deutsche Bahn’s construction project funded it. Gabriele Wilheim-Sternberger planned these additions. A stainless steel stepped bridge was installed to cross the Hellersdorfer Graben. Steel shortages delayed the project. The green space now extended to Cottbusser Platz U-Bahn station. Not everyone liked the bridge. Some found it too bulky and a waste of money.
On April 11, 2010, part of the planned expansion was removed. This area became the Kurt-Julius-Goldstein-Park. It honors Kurt Julius Goldstein, an Auschwitz survivor. Funds from later construction phases were used for this park.
Regine-Hildebrandt-Park is nearly 100 meters wide. It stretches about 270 meters between Boulevard Kastanienallee and Riesaer Straße. A small, existing green space was transformed into this park. Accessible via stairs, it also has a 50-meter wide staircase at the main entrance. This eastern staircase overcomes a five-meter slope. Ramps allow disabled access.
Notice the unique structures. The Baukasten is near the bridge. Haus Erntekranz is by the stairs to Boulevard Kastanienallee. The lower park area runs parallel to the Hellersdorfer Graben. It features a central tree-lined avenue. There is a quiet zone with a lawn and a bush maze. An adventure zone has oversized metal cattails on swaying stalks. A pole forest with steel bands, a giant steel tub, and rose gardens are also present.
By 2008, over 140 trees were planted in Regine-Hildebrandt-Park. Graffiti sometimes damages the park.
The eastern staircase provides access to the park. Before, there was no access and 13 oak trees stood here. The staircase incorporates newly planted trees. The oak trees were moved.
Steel bands with words appear on the staircase. The letters form sayings of Regine Hildebrandt. For example, one reads: “Konsequent oder inkonsequent aber nich det ewije Schwanken”. This translates to “Consistent or inconsistent but not the eternal wavering”.
On the west side, stairs lead to Boulevard Kastanienallee. Near Haus Erntedank, a two-part staircase leads to Mylauer Weg. A balcony-like center section offers a view of the park. These stairs are not wheelchair accessible.
The lower adventure area begins with a square beam. Each side displays a wish of Regine Hildebrandt in four languages: “May there be peace on Earth.” A circle of artificial cattails follows. There is seating around a water basin and a pole forest with banners. A lawn, a hedge maze, and a playground complete the area.
Paths accommodate park maintenance. Rainwater is absorbed through a ditch system. Regine-Hildebrandt-Park offers distinct spaces for different users.