Germany’s Tempelhof Park
Normally, a city park isn’t what one would expect to visit when taking a trip to a faraway land. But some parks are so unique and so rich in history that they are attractions of their own. One of these is
Originally used as a parade ground, Tempelhof’s first function was, as it is now, as a place of relaxation. All that changed in the 1920s when the airport went up. This was further built upon with the rise of Nazi Germany, as the Nazis felt the need to turn Tempelhof into the largest and most impressive airport in the world. Finally, in 2008, the airport closed for good and the site returned to park status.
Today, Tempelhof features the normal things you might expect in a park, such as a pathway for cycling or jogging, a large area for barbeques and a special area for people to walk their dogs in. The huge space means that nobody’s picnic is likely to ever be crowded.
Tempelhof also has some unique features. The runways are still present, though now they host more skateboarders and in-line skaters than airplanes. One area of the park has been converted to an urban garden, where people can come from around the local area and grow their own food. People have come in with their food carts and set up business, so there’s plenty to eat if you forget your picnic basket. And the original terminal now serves as a tourist attraction of its own, with a variety of educational tours available for those interested in the rich history of the former airport.
This reclamation of urban space into something more natural, especially so close to the city center, is a great example of human beings realizing that not every square foot necessarily needs to be crammed with housing and business. Though the basic grounds of