A gentle breeze whispers through the trees. This marks the beginning of our exploration into the Volkspark Wilmersdorf. This green oasis sits in Berlin’s Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. It offers a refreshing escape from the urban hustle.
The Volkspark Wilmersdorf has a rich history. In 1906, Deutsch-Wilmersdorf gained city rights. The well-off community embarked on an ambitious project. They envisioned a “Seepark” or lake park. Since 1904, the planning was in the hands of Richard Thieme. He was the municipal horticultural director.
The park’s design evolved over time. Between 1917 and 1945, it was even known as Hindenburgpark. The park stretches about 1850 meters. It runs from the Rudolph-Wilde-Park to the Stadtring. It covers 12.3 hectares making it Wilmersdorf’s largest green space. The Fennsee is at the western end. Two sports fields lie between Uhlandstra\u00dfe and Bundesallee. Once, the Wilmersdorfer See was located here.
Geologically, Volkspark Wilmersdorf is part of an ice-age side channel. This channel belongs to the glacial valley of the Grunewald chain of lakes. The once swampy lowlands extend from Rathaus Sch\u00f6neberg to the Herthasee.
Once, the Wilmersdorfer See gave the park its initial name. It was called “Seepark.” Land sales to developers brought wealth to local farmers. They became known as “Millionenbauern”. One such farmer was Otto Schramm. He built a bathing establishment and the Tanzpalast Schramm. It was a famous dance palace. “Gehen wir zu Schramm” became a common saying for Berliners seeking recreation in the 1880s.
The Volkspark Wilmersdorf is divided into three sections. They are separated by roads. The eastern area connects to Rudolph-Wilde-Park. Thieme’s design mirrored the Sch\u00f6neberg section. A small playground was built in the east. Stone steps with balustrades led down from Prinzregentenstra\u00dfe. The western part was designed for adults. An octagonal flower garden added beauty. A semicircular plaza faced Kaiserallee.
Today, the park features a large playground. It is located near the former RIAS building. The main section is a landscape park with lawns. The Bundesallee divides the park. A pedestrian bridge named “Volksparksteg” connects the sections. Below the bridge stands Karl M\u00f6bius’s bronze sculpture “Speerwerfer”. It was recast in 1954.
The central area stretches from Bundesallee to Uhlandstra\u00dfe. It features a lawn and garden. Another playground includes a basketball court. Sports facilities are available on the filled Wilmersdorfer See. Thieme envisioned this area as the park’s heart. It included geometric gardens and a grand promenade. The Wilmersdorfer See was meant to reflect the Auenkirche. However, the lake was filled due to foul odors.
The western area includes the Fennsee. It lacked special attractions in Thieme’s plan. In 1913, the U-Bahn viaduct was built. This divided the park. Originally, it had arcades for walkers. Damage led to their removal in 1934/1935. The park lost its main attraction.
Unlike Rudolph-Wilde-Park, Volkspark Wilmersdorf offers many leisure facilities. These are for children, teens, and adults. There are football pitches. Many stone table tennis tables are available. A well-maintained basketball court is popular. Tennis, bocce, and mini-golf are also present. Shady paths are favored by joggers. A 3.8-kilometer route is recommended by the Senate.
The Volkspark Wilmersdorf has numerous playgrounds. Smaller ones are for toddlers. Larger ones have climbing frames and swings. A dog run is available for dog lovers. Kiosks provide refreshments. Today, Volkspark Wilmersdorf is a vibrant place. Locals and tourists enjoy its green spaces and recreational facilities. It stands as a testament to urban planning and community spirit.