Volkspark Hasenheide in Berlin’s Neukölln district is a multifaceted urban park with deep historical roots and vibrant community life. Originally a rabbit enclosure for the Great Elector in 1678, the site later served as a military parade ground and became the birthplace of German gymnastics under Friedrich Ludwig Jahn in 1811. Redesigned in the 1930s and reopened in 1954, the park now spans 50 hectares and features the Rixdorfer Höhe, a hill formed from WWII rubble. Attractions include a rose garden, open-air cinema, mini-golf course, and the Hasenschänke kiosk. The park’s animal enclosure hosts emus, ponies, goats, and other species, while the fairytale-themed playground enchants children with pirate ships and wooden camels. Despite challenges with drug activity in some areas, Hasenheide remains a popular destination for families, joggers, and cultural events. Its layered history and diverse offerings make it a compelling green space that reflects Berlin’s resilience, creativity, and evolving urban identity.
Berlin GermanyVolkspark Hasenheide is a spacious urban park in Berlin’s Neukölln district, bordering Kreuzberg, covering about 50 hectares. Its main entrances are along Hasenheide street, just a short walk from the U Schönleinstr. subway station, making access simple via public transport. The park’s history goes back to its days as a rabbit enclosure in the 17th century and as the founding site of the German gymnastics movement. Today, Volkspark Hasenheide offers a variety of attractions, including an open-air cinema, a small free zoo (Tierpark Neukölln), a rose garden, several playgrounds, a mini golf course, sports facilities like soccer fields, a dog park, skateboarding, and basketball courts. In the park’s western area, Rixdorfer Höhe hill, built from postwar rubble, offers city views. The central Hasenschänke beer garden and 1950s-style kiosk invite you to relax, while the historic Jahn monument and the memorial to the Trümmerfrauen recall the park’s layered past. The vibrant neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Neukölln, filled with cafés, shops, and local culture, are right outside the park, making it a lively part of Berlin’s everyday life.