Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used • Hacker News Board

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#41

Post by woodpanel » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 7:23 AM UTC

jjtwixman wrote: post #27

domstatecraft wrote: post #11

Moving from Manchester to Hamburg the difference in greenery is already pretty astounding, but Stadtpark is really the jewel. Wonderfully maintained, easy transport access and close enough to the centre that you can walk it without the dog getting exhausted, a few spots to get a beer or a schorle when needed. One of the highlights of the city.

Hamburg has a lot going for it, it's just a shame the locals are so cold, unfriendly and boring.

Being from Hamburg I've heard that a lot. Too often, really, to not have an ounce of truth to it. OTOH there are barely inhabitants of the town who have any deeper roots there (ie. their grandparents grew up there), so I'd argue that this is not an original cultural quality. "Locals" is a really broad term here, because actual Locals are either gentrified away a long time or if they were able to weather the gentrification, they usually ended up in the posh islets, to which I'd wager you didn't have much contact with.

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#42

Post by sevenzero » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 7:40 AM UTC

Escapado wrote: post #18

I am from Hamburg and I live about 6 minutes from the Stadtpark by foot. I walk my dog there pretty much every day and I am very grateful to live so close by. I spent two years living in Tokyo and although Tokyo also has its fair share of parks I feel the Stadtpark kind of outshines all of them. I like the authors focus on usability of the park. It really has so much to offer and it’s well maintained without looking…

Sounds really nice, I live 1.5 hours from Hamburg and might just visit the Stadtpark for the first time in my life due to this post. Soonish the concert season begins again as well so Ill be in Hamburg more often from there on out anyway.

Moin!

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#43

Post by Frieren » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 7:41 AM UTC

As someone living in Stockholm I find this very interesting. A football field, or a rose garden are very good public infrastructure, and I will never argue against them. But I love to go around Stockholm forests. Yes, these are not parks but forests with wildlife, hiking paths, and nature all around. That connection with nature cannot be replaced with any kind of facilities.

> A lake in the middle of a big city that you can simply get into is not a normal thing.

Stockholm is a big city (for European standards) in the middle of a lake. So, this is probably very difficult to emulate for other cities. Sadly around Sweden, trees that have been harvested for wood are replaced with low quality forest that do not meet biodiversity targets.

> I also feel like during the winter, even though the park looks amazing under snow or fog, there are not many things to do.

Parks are amazing and we should have more in our cities. I see people hiking and running in the forest all year round. Forests and nature are better than parks to bring a pace of mind and mindfulness that cannot be replaced by anything else. And they usually are free, so everybody can enjoy them independently of their economic situation. But each steps forward is a welcome step. And parks are also needed.

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#44

Post by sharperguy » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 8:39 AM UTC

cmdoptesc wrote: post #2

It's in the name: stadtpark, city park. In defense of Berlin's Tiergarten, it was originally a hunting preserve for deer (and Hasenheide was for rabbits), so it's big and intimidating. But there are still facilities in it that serve the neighboring residents. And throughout Berlin there are multiple volksparks, people's parks, which have everything the author mentions. In most cities, parks evolve to serve the reside…

"everything the author mentions" I wouldn't say this is totally accurate. There are no swimmable lakes in the central part of the city for example. Certainly there are parks that have volleyball, running tracks, kids parks and grilling areas, which is great. But it sounds like the Hamburg one goes above and beyond.

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#45

Post by anonyfox » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 8:58 AM UTC

Also living in Hamburg right now, AMA if you want to

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#46

Post by egeozcan » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:01 AM UTC

We're living in Hesse and every time we make the long trip to go to Hamburg the Stadtpark is where we spend most of our time. You'll think I'm exaggerating but honestly, we're thinking of moving to Hamburg and the Stadtpark is the biggest reason.

Hamburg is a wonderful city, there's also that :)

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#47

Post by egeozcan » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:03 AM UTC

anonyfox wrote: post #45

Also living in Hamburg right now, AMA if you want to

For a family of three (2 adults, both working full time + a 3 year-old), are there places to live that doesn't require us to sell our kidneys to pay rent and are reasonable in terms of commute + services?

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#48

Post by psd1 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:06 AM UTC

effnorwood wrote: post #15

Socialists claim rare victory not in France.

In ten years of posting, you have amassed... 0 karma.

The community has shown you what it thinks of you. Take the message.

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#49

Post by usrnm » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:47 AM UTC

Frieren wrote: post #43

As someone living in Stockholm I find this very interesting. A football field, or a rose garden are very good public infrastructure, and I will never argue against them. But I love to go around Stockholm forests. Yes, these are not parks but forests with wildlife, hiking paths, and nature all around. That connection with nature cannot be replaced with any kind of facilities. > A lake in the middle of a big city that…

There are several large parks that resemble forests and are barely touched by human activity in Moscow as well. Can't say I liked walking in them very much when I was still living there, but I support the idea, it's good that they exist

Re: Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

#50

Post by 47282847 » Thu, Jul 30, 2026, 9:55 AM UTC

Aldipower wrote: post #26

Hamburg is one of the greenest cities in the world (summertime). Not too far from the Stadtpark you'll find the Olsdorfer Friedhof, which is the largest "park cemetery" in Europe. If the Stadtpark is still too busy for you, despite it actually never is really, the cemetery is even quieter to find some rest and a refreshing walk. I know it sounds strange, but I mean it. :-)

In terms of cemeteries, I recommend the Waldfriedhof in Munich. One of the largest in Germany (170 Hektar/420 acres). The wilder forest parts of it have snakes and other less common wildlife.