Did you know that Volkspark Hasenheide was once a rabbit enclosure? The Great Elector himself hunted here centuries ago. That’s right. This sprawling 50-hectare park in Neukölln bordering Kreuzberg has a rich history. Volkspark Hasenheide wasn’t always a vibrant green space. It started as a hunting ground a royal rabbit warren.
Imagine the scene. The Great Elector Frederick William traversing this very land. His hunting dogs sniffing out rabbits among the sparse trees. Later this same land saw the birth of German gymnastics. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn opened the first Prussian Turnplatz right here in 1811. A monument near the northern entrance commemorates him. The “Turnvater” or father of gymnastics gave rise to the German gymnastics movement right here in Volkspark Hasenheide.
The park’s transformation wasn’t a smooth journey. Long before Volkspark Hasenheide was a park there was a Muslim cemetery. Established in 1798 it was the first of its kind near Berlin. Turks who died in the city found their final resting place here. Plans to create Volkspark Hasenheide started in the 1920s. The park’s creation began in earnest around 1936. Only an eastern section was completed by 1939. The construction of a planned flak tower pair during World War II never materialized.
Post-war Volkspark Hasenheide saw the creation of the Rixdorfer Höhe. This artificial hill was constructed from 700000 cubic meters of rubble. It dominates the western part of the park. The US Army used the area as a shooting range until approximately 1950. The Volkspark Hasenheide was finally opened to the public on June 7 1954.
Today Volkspark Hasenheide offers a haven for relaxation and recreation. There’s an open-air cinema a mini-golf course a rose garden and playgrounds. The Hasenschänke a 1950s-style kiosk serves as a popular gathering spot. A skate park a space for roller hockey and basketball courts provide recreational opportunities. Football is especially popular. Groups like the Little Africa Allstar Team and the Red Zombies Neukölln call this park their home.
Sadly Volkspark Hasenheide has also faced challenges. It has been a hotspot for drug dealing. Though police efforts to combat drug trafficking exist entirely eliminating it proves difficult. The park’s history also includes tragic events. In 2006 a police officer was shot and killed during an attempted robbery. Other violent incidents have occurred over the years. However Volkspark Hasenheide continues to be a vibrant part of the Neukölln community. It has a tree nature trail continually expanding. A Hindu temple is currently being built adding to the rich multicultural tapestry of Volkspark Hasenheide. This is just a glimpse of this park’s story. Its past present and future continue to unfold before our eyes.