Flowers and plants growing out of shoes. Herbs, vegetables and other greens planted in self-made wooden crates. In between, recycled wooden benches and tables provide space for relaxation, contemplation and observation. In the middle of a closed-down city center airport one can find a small oasis that allows people to forget the busy city life, the streets and buildings of vibrant Berlin.
The former Airport Tempelhof, now called Tempelhofer Feld, is the largest park in town. It can be accessed from different sides, the Tempelhof side and the Neukölln side. This small ‚herbal oasis‘ is reached best from the Eastern Neukölln side, entering from Oderstrasse in the popular Schillerkiez. Most Berliners living in this area will probably know and sometimes even enjoy this quaint and fantastical spot, as it is a great place to read a book, let thoughts wander, feel like in nature outside of city borders, and maybe even listen to someone playing the guitar and taking care of his veggies and plants. One could call it a small and friendly place for urban meditation. Large open spaces, meadows, paths, and former runways surround the garden. They are now used for leisure, barbecues and sports such as cycling, running, rollerblading, kitesurfing, windsurfing and also flying kites. For most visitors, these are the typical reasons to come to the park. But many of them have probably never entered the almost magical microcosm that locals lovingly call ‚Kräutergarten‘. It’s worth a visit to just chill out, hang out and disconnect. And it’s there for everybody to enjoy. No terrace or balcony at home? Need a quick and close-by getaway just a jump away from the house? Neuköllner living nearby surely appreciate it.
So, welcome to my garden! Oh sorry… welcome to OUR garden. Or, should we better keep it a secret?