Bürgerpark and Stadtwald

Bürgerpark and Stadtwald are the best-known parks in Bremen. With a combined area of more than 200 hectares, it is the second largest green space in the Hanseatic city after the Park links der Weser. The Bürgerpark was created in the second half of the 19th century not far from the main railway station as a classic public garden with lakes, coffee houses and sunbathing lawns within the wooded areas. In the period after 1900, the 65-hectare city forest was created to the north. Together they now offer visitors a wide range of leisure activities with attractions as diverse as animal enclosures, a boat hire service, a Finnish course, nature trails and mini golf and boules pitches. Both the city forest and the Bürgerpark are home to numerous sculptures and monuments, some of which are more than 130 years old, as well as several listed buildings in harmonious natural ensembles. To this day, maintenance is carried out without regular funding from the public purse by the Bürgerparkverein, which is supported exclusively by contributions and donations. One of its most important sources of income is the "Bürgerpark Tombola", which has been held annually from the beginning of February until May since 1953.