Bürgerpark

Gazing at this tranquil oasis, can you believe Bürgerpark almost didn’t exist here? Bürgerpark in Bremerhaven is a sprawling 64-hectare park. It’s located conveniently near the main train station. The entire park became a protected historical landmark in 2010. Its story begins in 1899 with three Bremerhaven citizens. They envisioned a small, nearby forest for relaxation. The Nordsee-Zeitung newspaper captured their vision. In 1964, they wrote that the idea came from citizens. The money came from citizens. The park’s purpose was citizen’s recreation. Johann Ganten, a teacher, spearheaded the project. He collaborated with H. Brünjes and Johann Wichels. They presented their plan to Geestemünde’s mayor, Wilhelm Klußmann. Klußmann called a meeting. The Geestemünde Forest Association formed on December 12, 1899. Ganten and his father-in-law, Senator Conrad Allermann, suggested an area behind the Bremerhaven cemetery in Wulsdorf. However, forest manager Quaet-Faslem deemed it too small. This led them to Bürgerpark’s current location. The vision expanded from a simple forest to a wooded park. By 1906, through purchases and some expropriations, the association owned the entire site. Bremen’s Bürgerpark director, Ohrt, created the first plan. It proved too complex and was abandoned. Garden engineer Hoff from Harburg stepped in. He generously developed a new plan, costing 200,000 Marks. Bürgerpark opened on June 1, 1908. Later, a “Waldschänke”, a forest tavern, was added. After World War II, it served as an American officers’ club. In 1954, it returned to German ownership, operating as a hotel-restaurant until the turn of the millennium. From the 1950s until 2001, Bürgerpark also housed a radio transmitter. Today, Bürgerpark offers diverse recreational activities. Explore natural woodlands, open meadows, landscaped gardens, and walking paths. A playground sits next to a large play meadow in the southeast. Rent a boat on the pond, where waterfowl gather. Enjoy a barbecue at one of the grilling areas. The east side boasts sports fields, tennis courts, and athletic facilities. World champion roller skaters once trained at the roller skating rink. A fitness trail and a “Finnbahn” offer more exercise options. Open-air events enliven the park during summer. Scattered throughout Bürgerpark, especially in the western section, are various sculptures and monuments. One notable piece is a fountain at the southwest entrance. It was originally designed for the Bremerhaven Stadttheater in 1983 by Barna von Sartory and Peter de Longueville. It found its new home in Bürgerpark in March 2000.