Into nature!

Into nature!

Parks and gardens

The green heart of the city is situated in the centre of Düsseldorf: the Hofgarten (Court Garden). The park extends over an area of around 28 hectares. The approx. 200-year-old complex is ideal for taking a breather between shopping trips on the nearby shopping streets. In summer in particular, the cooling effect of the trees, ponds and fountains is a welcome relief from the heat.

The Nordpark (North Park) is one of the most splendid parks in the State capital: you can find an array of flower beds, monuments, fountains, a playground and various works of art in the park complex. Not only the residents of the local districts who enjoy visiting park, but also trade visitors looking to take a breather, appreciate the relaxation value of the Nordpark. If you are looking for peace and quiet, head to the Japanese garden: visitors can relax in the shade of Japanese maple trees with views over the carp pond.

The Südpark (South Park) is a popular excursion spot among the residents of Düsseldorf: be it the ponds, alleys, thick bushes, serpentine pathways with surprising views, be it the petting zoo, playground, sunbathing lawns, natural habitats, natural landscapes or the rose garden – the former home of the Federal German Garden Show has everything for a great day outdoors. The Südpark is also the biggest park in Düsseldorf with a total area of 70 hectares. It has three very different areas: the public gardens, “Vor dem Deich” (By the Dike) and “In den Gärten” (In the Gardens).

Those interested in historical parks must visit the Schlosspark Benrath (Benrath Palace Park). The former electoral summer residence brings together architecture and parkland and, in its artistic unity, is considered as one of the ever rarer total artworks in the disappearing rococo style in Europe. The parks of the Schloss Eller and Schloss Heltorf palaces are also worth a visit. The park of Schloss Mickeln palace in Himmelgeist is also perfect for a stroll, which can be extended right down to the Rhine. Today, the park is not only classified as a historical monument, but also part of a nature conservation programme. Those interested in art can also get their money’s worth in the Lantz'sche Park in Lohausen. Historical and modern objects of art from a contrast to the old tree population. The Lantz'sche Park was designed as an English garden around a classical manor-house.

Düsseldorf’s parks are the “green lungs” right at the heart of the city. The Zoopark is situated in Düsseltal. It gets its name from the animal park, which was located there until a bomb attack in 1943. Both the zoo and the zoo district were destroyed. The Ostpark (East Park) in Grafenberg is very popular, especially when the rhododendrons bloom. A lake, which is picturesquely surrounded by many trees and ideal for relaxing, is located at the heart of the park.

The Wildpark

Located in the scenic Grafenberg Wald, the Wildpark (Game Park) is an attractive excursion destination for families with around 100 animals. It is open 365 days per year and doesn’t even charge entry. A huge enclosure is home to fallow deer and roe deer. The animals in the game park are not presented; rather, they decide when they want to get close to people and show their faces.

Red deer, roe and mouflons are at home in spacious, naturally designed enclosures. Wild boars also live in the park; these are particularly popular amongst younger visitors. A distinctive feature of the game park is the fallow deer outdoor enclosure. Visitors can get up close to the game and children can also feed the animals.

Other park inhabitants include pheasants and partridges as well as foxes, polecats, wild cats and raccoons in the special predator enclosure. A bee house, a natural pond and anthills round off the indigenous animal family of the game park. Those eager for knowledge can find out fascinating facts about the plant and animal world by means of the forest nature trail, diverse information tables and in the forest school.

Experience pure nature

You can experience pure nature in Düsseldorf’s twelve nature reserves. The reserves are extremely different, because different natural habitats are concerned. These include the floodplains along the Rhine and large areas of the Düsseldorf city forest with its species-rich mixed woodlands.

There are many good reasons for having natural reserves in Düsseldorf: for example, if it is necessary to preserve important habitats for wild animals and plants, or if scientifically, regionally, naturally and geologically interesting areas are concerned. However, this does not mean that Düsseldorf’s nature reserves are closed-off areas; rather, visitors can use them as valuable and natural places to relax.

Recreation in nature

Off into nature: it is under this motto that the department responsible for the environment and parks in Düsseldorf encourages trips to the natural areas of the city. Numerous guided tours with different themes through parks and landscapes, forests and cemeteries are on offer. The guided tours take place in all weather conditions and last around two hours.

Around 450 public playgrounds, of which 21 are forest playgrounds, are available for children in Düsseldorf. Approximately half of these are located in parks. Table tennis, mini golf or ball sports – there is plenty of room for playing around, sport and having fun in the recreational parks in the Heerdt district or on Ulenbergstraße in Flehe. Young animal lovers can observe chickens, goats, geese, guinea pigs, hares, dogs and pigs or go on a horse ride in the Niederheid adventure park.

An important “raw material” in the design of parks are the trees, which shape the complexes with their peculiarities. Different growth formations, crowns, blossoms, leaves or fruits create curiosity. The different trees in Düsseldorf’s various parks are provided with name tags. These provide information about the botanical and German names as well as native regions. Proper tree trails have been set up in several parks. Maps mark the location of the trees, which you can then try and find in the park. Tree portraits explain interesting facts about the marked trees.

Many dog owners wonder whether they can let their dogs off their leads. To ensure that the animals can get their exercise, the State capital of Düsseldorf have set up over thirty areas for dogs. “No leads required”: this is the case on the Rhine floodplains, under the dike, in private areas and on the land of kennel clubs. The exercise areas are made clear in the parks with signs.