Ever heard of a park that was once nicknamed “Penner-Park”? That’s just one chapter in the story of Alice-Salomon-Park. This park resides in Berlin’s Schöneberg district. It is bordered by Eisenacher Straße, Freisinger Straße, Karl-Schrader-Straße and Barbarossastraße.
Alice-Salomon-Park came to life in 2000. Before that, it was just an unnamed green space. The district administration of Schöneberg transformed it. They incorporated existing trees and shrubs into the design. The park received its name on December 12, 2000. It was named after Alice Salomon. She was a liberal social reformer. She was also a pioneer of social work and a key figure in the German women’s movement.
Alice Salomon, born in 1872, was a remarkable woman. She significantly impacted social work. In 1908, she founded a Soziale Frauenschule in Berlin. This school was later renamed the Alice Salomon School. Today, it is known as the Alice-Salomon-Fachhochschule. Salomon’s commitment to social justice extended internationally. She became the first chair of the International Committee on Schools of Social Work in 1929.
In 2010, the park faced a challenge. Residents complained about public drinking. The district administration removed the park benches. This led to the park’s temporary nickname.
Major changes occurred in late 2015. The Alice-Salomon-Park was redesigned. A new playground and a table tennis table were added. The pathways were altered to mirror the historic route of Schwäbische Straße. This made the green space more visible and accessible.
A building from the 1950s stood at the park’s edge. Despite protests, it was demolished in 2013. This made way for a new apartment building. The park lost some area. To compensate, the park underwent renovations in late 2015. The playground was upgraded with new equipment. The main path was paved and opened to cyclists. New trees and shrubs were planted. The project cost around 270,000 euros.
In 2017, a disturbing incident occurred. Needles were found scattered in the sandpit. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The authorities professionally cleaned the sand.
Today, Alice-Salomon-Park offers various amenities. There is a playground with swings, wooden animals and a slide. You can find playhouses with picnic tables. A small football field and a table tennis table are available. It is a place for leisure and recreation. It is a tribute to Alice Salomon’s legacy. The park provides a space for the community. It promotes social interaction and well-being.