Tempelhofer Feld Berlin
Berlin's largest open space
Tempelhofer Feld was closed as an airport in 2008 and opened to the public as Tempelhofer Park in 2010. Formerly a military training ground and then a military airport in the 20th century, the park is closely tied to Germany's military history. That wouldn't be the first thing you'd think if you visited it on a Saturday, when hundreds of people are using the 355 hectares (equivalent to 420 soccer fields!).
On weekends, the field is invaded by bikers, skaters, windskaters, basketball players, slackliners, roller skiers, and many other sports and games. One part of the lawn is occupied by groups and families with barbecues, where the smell of food from all over the world fills the air. The other part is for more modest picnics, hanging out on a blanket and eating their ice cream or drinking their rhubarb lemonade, maybe with some chips or homemade pie. Then there are the musicians and artists. You can spot the people on first dates and the huge birthday parties.
While it's famous for its unlimited recreational potential and free access, Tempelhofer Feld also plays an important role in the city as a natural area.
"...the last four years at Tempelhofer Feld have shown that, contrary to fears, nature conservation and recreation can go hand in hand on an inner-city wasteland - with a few reservations. The prerequisites are that the area is large enough, that sensitive areas for flora and fauna are either fenced off or marked with signs at certain times of the year, that dogs are kept on leashes, that parking attendants are controlled, and that the area is maintained in a nature-friendly manner and monitored. GrünBerlin GmbH has ensured these positive conditions in recent years. Fortunately, there has also been a high level of acceptance and consideration on the part of users. NABU Berlin welcomes this positive development, as studies show a remarkable biodiversity on the former Tempelhof Airport site."
Source: NABU Berlin
Source: NABU Berlin
Monitoring surveys in 2005 and 2010 identified a total of 47 hectares of grassland. These were home to more than 329 wild vascular plant species, 13 of which are endangered in Berlin. A quarter of all spiders and ground beetles, a third of all hymenoptera, half of all grasshopper species and 10 of all butterfly species recorded in Berlin live in Tempelhof. Many of these are endangered and some are threatened with extinction in Germany.
There are 26 confirmed species of breeding birds, half of which are on Berlin's Red List of Threatened Species.
The area is also a source of fresh air for the city. As one of the largest inner-city open spaces, it contributes enormously to Berlin's air quality.
This information is from a 2010 article published on NABU Berlin.
Photo: Frank Derer
NABU Berlin
Gesellschaftliche Wertigkeit des Tempelhofer Feldes – Qualitäten erfassen und sichtbar machen (2021)
