Park am Buschkrug

Beneath the rustling leaves of the Park am Buschkrug, secrets lie buried. This isn’t just a park. It’s a time capsule. Park am Buschkrug sits quietly in Berlin’s Britz district, bordered by Blaschkoallee, Buschkrugallee, Hannemannstrasse, and Riesestrasse. The park’s name, a whimsical echo of the past, comes from a former tavern called Buschkrug that once stood nearby. Long before swings and slides graced this land, Park am Buschkrug held a much different purpose. Centuries ago, it served as a burial ground. This quiet history came to light in 1951. Construction workers unearthed two human skeletons, silent witnesses to the Völkerwanderung period of the 5th and 6th centuries. The echoes of these early inhabitants whisper beneath our feet. Later, the land bore the scars of war, becoming a repository for debris. Then, until 1952, the land transformed yet again, serving as a gravel pit. Finally, nature reclaimed its own. The pit was filled, and in May 1952, Park am Buschkrug opened its gates to the public. Time marched on, and between 2007 and 2011, the park underwent a significant revitalization. A 3.5 million euro investment breathed new life into the space. Pathways were renewed, accessibility improved. The eastern half of the park now boasts a fitness course, designed by Austrian sports scientist Roland Werthner. Thirteen exercise stations invite visitors to test their strength and agility. This addition brought another investment of 400,000 euros. The official opening of the course was celebrated on September 6, 2011. Near the Blaschkoallee U-Bahn station, a bronze sculpture by Justus Chrukin, titled “Aufschwingende Gruppe” (Soaring Group), adds an artistic touch to the park’s landscape. Park am Buschkrug. From ancient burial ground to post-war rubble to modern recreation space, it whispers a story of resilience and transformation.