Saturday, August 7, 2021

Gorlitzer Park Story

 I was watching N-24 news this morning (commercial news of Germany).  

They brought up Görlitzer Park (Berlin).

I've essayed a couple of times over the city park.

For decades, this was a railway station/network on the SE side of Berlin.  Around 1961, city 'bosses' decided it had marginal value....they drew up the long-term plan to tear it down, and make a city park out of it.  Size?  I'd say it's 400 feet by 2,000 feet (roughly).  

In this developmental period (1980s), it was to become a 'green' area....lots of trees and open land for people to lounge.  

Over the past twenty years?  Well....it's a drug hang-out for the most part, and most locals would argue that it's not the kind of place to drag your kids or dogs to.  The cannabis trend?  Well...it's way past that point.

So N-24 brought up the newest hype concerning Görlitzer.  Apparently, the locals have complained enough about the drug escalation and violence (attacks) that the police have now closed off the entire park for entry, from 8 PM each night, until the morning has arrived.  Some of this related to Covid and the more aggressive nature of people?  Probably so.

A magnet now for 'reform' or redesign?  After this next city election, it wouldn't surprise me if one of the top ten agendas of the city is to rebuild the park, and figure some dynamic out to curtail the drug business.  Other than putting a man-made lake out to cover 95-percent of the park...I don't see too many 'fixes'.  

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