Tempelhofer Feld

Tempelhofer Feld: Berlin’s largest park on an old airport

Tempelhofer Feld measures around 303 hectares and was opened as an open space in 2010 after flight operations ceased in 2008. The two former runways are each about two kilometers long and 45 meters wide, and the circular path around them measures six kilometers. Because there is no motorized traffic, children can safely learn to ride bikes here, while inline skaters, kite buggies, and Nordic skaters are nearby. If you prefer to let the expanse work its magic, simply spread out a blanket. Additionally, there’s the Vogelfreiheit Skate Park, built in 2012 from recycled granite slabs from the Palace of the Republic, a basketball court at Columbiadamm, two football pitches, boule courts, and several ping-pong tables. The paved paths around the field are barrier-free and easily accessible by wheelchair.

Community gardens, skylarks, and the law for the preservation of Tempelhofer Feld

The field is not just a sports area, but also a natural space and a political project. The Allmende-Kontor community garden was founded in 2011, cultivates around 5,000 square meters, and has over 500 gardeners with almost 300 raised beds; next to it are the Rübezahl Garden and the Stadtacker. Large parts of the meadows are a bird sanctuary for the skylark and have been grazed by Skudde sheep since 2019. All of this is legally secured by the Law for the Preservation of Tempelhofer Feld, which has been in effect since June 2014 and is based on a referendum in which 64.3 percent voted against development. The area is managed jointly with seven elected field coordinators, whose meetings are public, and around 26 citizen projects. Access is permanently and gratuitously guaranteed by law.