Want to escape the city noise? Then you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to the Ludwig-Kessing-Park. It’s more than just a green space. It’s a journey through Essen’s history and nature.
Ludwig-Kessing-Park spans about six hectares. This makes it one of Essen’s larger parks. It’s in the Überruhr-Hinsel district. The park connects the district with the Ruhr River.
Once, this land was the site of the Herrmann shaft. It belonged to the Eiberg mine. The mine operated briefly from 1901 to 1914. All the mine buildings were torn down in 1934. Then, the Südost-Park was created.
In 1974, the Südost-Park was renamed Ludwig-Kessing-Park. It was named after Ludwig Kessing. He was a local miner and poet born in Überruhr in 1869. He died in 1940. Ludwig-Kessing-Park enhances the quality of life in Überruhr-Hinsel. Local festivals bring the community together here.
The Ludwig-Kessing-Park landscape features open lawns and small woods. Asphalt paths wind through the park. At the southern end, you will find a playground. Two small viewing platforms offer views. The higher southern part of Ludwig-Kessing-Park overlooks the Ruhr valley. The northern part slopes steeply towards the Ruhr. A footpath connects it to the Ruhr River path.
In 2006, Geistige Elite e.V. became the playground’s sponsor. The park’s history goes back further. Before the mine, the Kevelohhof farm stood here. It was part of the Rellinghausen estate. The farm was mentioned as early as 1392. It was demolished in the 1930s. Only a street name reminds us of it today. You can still see remnants of the mine’s walls. They offer a glimpse into the area’s industrial past.
Ludwig-Kessing-Park is home to diverse trees. Native red beeches and holly trees grow here. You can also spot non-native tulip trees. Expansive meadows invite visitors to relax. The large playground sits where the mine’s buildings once stood. A memorial stone marks the park’s connection to Ludwig Kessing. His birthplace was less than 100 meters south of here. Johann Rainer Busch wrote about Kessing in his “Überruhrer Chronik.” He noted Kessing’s birth in Hinsel. This was where the path from the park to the Friedenskapelle is today.
Ludwig Kessing was the first poet from the mining community. Today, Ludwig-Kessing-Park serves as a reminder. It honors his legacy. It’s a place where history, nature, and community meet. Take a moment to enjoy the view. Think about the miners who once worked here. Remember the poet who captured their spirit in verse.