Einstein Park Berlin by SCHÖNHERR Landschaftsarchitekten

EINSTEIN PARK, BERLIN — Careful renovation.

AN AGING PARK GETS A FRESH START
Einstein Park, located in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district, is being thoughtfully renewed to meet the needs of today — with an eye on climate change. With its mature trees and large meadows, the park is a popular gathering spot in the Mühlenkiez neighborhood, a residential area from the 1950s to 1970s, and a key component of the Greifswalder Straße urban redevelopment project. The park’s basic concept has been repeatedly revised, renovated, and expanded over the years. The beautiful tree population is a defining feature.

BUILDING WITHIN EXISTING STRUCTURES
Respecting the existing site was central to our design. Our aim was to strengthen and expand the park’s spatial structures, enrich them with new ideas and make it future-ready. Through participation processes, we succeeded in creating a park that appeals to all age groups — while keeping climate resilience at the forefront from the very beginning.

New walking paths now allow pedestrians, joggers, and seniors to explore the park without interruption. A looping figure-eight path has also been added, which stimulates both hemispheres of the brain and is recommended from a therapeutic perspective, especially for older people.

Along these paths are themed islands with fitness stations, play areas, picnic spots, and lush plantings. Small squares at the entrances integrate the park into the surrounding neighborhood. The “Einstein Universe” play island is a distinctive eye-catcher.

Renovating the deteriorated paths was crucial for accessibility and for ensuring a safe, illuminated route to school for the students of the Paul Lincke Elementary School.

A PARK FOR EVERYONE, SHAPED BY THE COMMUNITY
The project began with a multi-stage participation process, including a citizens’ workshop and two target-group-oriented neighborhood tours, in which residents were actively involved in the planning process. A community dialogue event was also held to discuss design ideas. As a result of this participatory process, the idea of themed islands under the motto “Always something going on” was born, adding significantly to the park’s recreational value. Regular on-site consultations were offered throughout construction.

ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE
In response to climate change, we reduced paved surfaces to a minimum and used permeable drainage paving. On the one hand, this traps rainwater in the porous stone and evaporates it across the surface, in keeping with the “Sponge City Berlin” concept, providing a cooling effect on hot days. On the other hand, excess rainwater seeps away completely through drainage paving. Einstein Park is therefore an important component of the overall ecological rainwater management concept developed for the Mühlenkiez district as part of the netWORKS 4 research project.

Our intervention was limited to essential updates and focused on areas already in use —preserving the park’s mature trees as a signature feature.

Peripheral plantings were enhanced with a mix of flowering and fruit-bearing trees, supporting biodiversity by serving as foraging grounds for bees and as nesting and sheltering sites for birds. Nesting boxes for birds and bats were included in the planning from the start.

ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON
The centerpiece is the play island with the “Einstein Universe” — a magnet for families and a launchpad for adventure. With climbing nets, tunnel structures, and a 360° tunnel slide, kids can explore new “galaxies” via playful wormholes. The various spatial bodies can be reached by climbing, crawling, and balancing. Nearby, a picnic island offers ideal conditions for cozy get-togethers for families and groups. In addition to the table tennis island, a new fitness island has been added for adults, providing full-body workouts and also attracting teens and kids. Nature lovers can enjoy two newly created flower beds.

The park’s beloved but aging water feature has been redesigned and revitalized —once again becoming a favorite among local children and daycare groups.

Thanks to its careful transformation, Einstein Park has reclaimed its role as a vibrant, inclusive, and ecologically valuable community hub in Berlin’s Mühlenkiez.

• Other credits:
Zimmer.Obst GmbH – Construction of the playground elements