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Hamburg's Stadtpark: A Park Built to Be Used

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

#51

Post by aa-jv »

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…

I just took a bicycle ride on purpose-built paths across Vienna from one of its western most districts out to the Danube Island, and along the way I passed multiple parks, in full use by the residents of the city, escaping the sweltering heat ... from the small gardens around the Ring, to Stadtpark, and out into the Prater reserve .. I even saw folks riding their horses in a lake of the Prater reserve, something I haven't seen in a city in a while.

Last weekend there was a free concert (PopFest) put on for all to enjoy.

It struck me, as I was riding through one of the worlds' most livable cities, that the careful planning for all of these locations was done a hundred or more years ago .. and that the love of the city's planners for the city's population is clearly evident. Whether its the open fountains, fresh water supplies, well maintained and curated lawns and gardens, easy and accessible public transportation, or the incredible asset to city-dwellers sanity that is the Danube Island, its very clear that this is a city which cares about its people.

And I've seen it all over Europe, too.

In the USA, where I lived for 15 years before this - we had the benefit of enduring hourly commutes, twice a day, on elevated platforms above the concrete jungle, and dare you ever left that commute to explore the neighborhoods usually ignored, there is not much public space to be had that wasn't occupied by misery.

Its a stark contrast in care on the part of the governments involved. I'll take Vienna's park-loving social system over that of LA or SF, any day.

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

#52

Post by kakacik »

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…

> That connection with nature cannot be replaced with any kind of facilities.

100% this, I moved out of city (Geneva, Switzerland), even though it had 100km long crystal clear lake, plus pretty awesome mountain for climbing/hiking/paragliding very close with 600m vertical cliffs.

True nature ain't parks, however well curated. I live next to cca 1x1.5km wild forest, even scientific reserve, and on frequent walks there the feeling and energy recharge effect is real, very pleasant and (for me) was almost non-present in otherwise beautiful Geneva parks.

We are creatures of nature and still connected to it deeply, everybody I know feels better after even 1h walk in such forest.

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

#53

Post by rockyj »

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. :-)

It is truly a great city to live in. I have only visited it a few times, I wish I could live there.

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

#54

Post by pimeys »

sharperguy wrote: post #44
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.

I don't remember can you swim in Lietzensee but you definitely can in Weissensee and I consider both to be quite central still.

But you are correct, there's not enough swimmable lakes in Berlin and when the weather is nice you better drive somewhere in Brandenburg if you don't want to be stuck in a fully packed pond with 1000 others.

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

#55

Post by cucumber3732842 »

psd1 wrote: post #48
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.

Ten years of shitposting without winding up deeply negative is actually a hell of an accomplishment.

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

#57

Post by effnorwood »

cucumber3732842 wrote: post #55
psd1 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In ten years of posting, you have amassed... 0 karma. The community has shown you what it thinks of you. Take the message.

Ten years of shitposting without winding up deeply negative is actually a hell of an accomplishment.

Hey people - we're all in this shitacane together. Laugh a little. If what I'm saying isn't funny to you, ignore because you don't get it.

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

#58

Post by cmdoptesc »

kamyarg wrote: post #25
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…

Tiergarten is surrounded by government buildings, embassies, malls, big wide roads and office skyscrapers. None are "living" spaces. I love Tiergarten, but I see the surrounding being overrun by these as why it is so underrated/unknown. Otherwise an amazing place to cycle through, chill on the grass with friends or grab a beer in Café am Neuen See.

You're right. It's reflective of the neighborhood itself.

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

#59

Post by jjtwixman »

woodpanel wrote: post #41
jjtwixman wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 gentrific…

That's true actually, I know an echte Hamburgerin (3 generations both sides) and she's nice, as are her family. The "locals" I just meant the German inhabitants of the city, many of whom of course did not grow up there or are from there or have strong roots in the city.

Like I said, it's a pity, but for a city that claims to be Germany's "gateway to the world", its people are awfully parochial, small-minded, and terribly lacking in curiosity.

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

#60

Post by woodpanel »

jjtwixman wrote: post #59
woodpanel wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 gentrific…

That's true actually, I know an echte Hamburgerin (3 generations both sides) and she's nice, as are her family. The "locals" I just meant the German inhabitants of the city, many of whom of course did not grow up there or are from there or have strong roots in the city. Like I said, it's a pity, but for a city that claims to be Germany's "gateway to the world", its people are awfully parochial, small-minded, and terr…

> small-minded

The mother of Karl Lagerfeld once told him that, yes, Hamburg is the „gateway to the world“ but you have to go through it.

She meant, being willing to exit through it.

One could argue, that this entails a selection bias in who comes and stays and who actually goes. And over time you got a population which prides itself to be something others have been/are.

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