Mayor Tschentscher praises “green quality of life” combined with “metropolitan density”: ̒You can still feel the cosmopolitan atmosphere of a harbour here, but nonetheless there are corners where you can feel at home. Here, everyone can enjoy the greenery and the close proximity to the water or do sports. The Baakenpark is a good example of how urban density can go hand in hand with green quality of life.’
Baakenpark, the “island of longing”, is the green centre of the newly developing eastern HafenCity (Harbour City) in Hamburg. The 1.6 ha man-made peninsula created with sand from the Elbe River is located in the middle of the former harbour basin of Baakenhafen, which is characterized by linear edges, steel embankments and stone promenades. With its wild shoreline, green embankments down to the water and its characteristic topography, the park forms an atmospheric counterpart to its surroundings. A park that invites visitors to explore and only unfolds when walking through it. A park with a variety of sports and recreational activities for all visitors, with bustling meeting places, spacious sunbathing lawns and play areas, but also with quieter, more isolated places.
The basic idea of creating a man-made peninsula in the centre of Baakenhafen was taken from the revised master plan for eastern HafenCity 2010. The original plan for eastern HafenCity had always provided for the two quays north and south of the longest harbour basin in the project area to be unconnected. The concept of the peninsula and an associated bridge combines urban planning and social functions, which can now be experienced: from Versmannkai in the north-west, pedestrians and cyclists reach Baakenpark via a 67 m long bridge, under which district heating pipes and water supply lines run. At the ends of this axis, neighbourhood squares are being created on both quaysides. In this way, a strong centre gives impetus to the further development of the two large eastern quarters of Baakenhafen and Elbbrücken with a total of around 3,600 apartments and 15,500 jobs.
Baakenpark is the green centre of these city quarters and has a striking topography with several plateaus of different heights. The highest point at the eastern end of the peninsula is the 15 m high Himmelsberg, which can be seen from afar. When exploring the park, visitors are presented with surprising changes in perspective and varied insights and views. The park is a green oasis and recreational haven, providing a wide range of sports, play and recreational activities, as well as a visual landmark in the middle of the harbour basin. The bridge connecting Versmannkai with Baakenpark provides pedestrians and cyclists with a direct link between the northern and southern parts of the new city quarter. The peninsula itself is accessed by a circular path along the shoreline. Due to the special flood protection requirements, the park’s playgrounds and green spaces were created on three plateaus. The three plateaus differ significantly in their uses and ambience: in the west of the peninsula is a sports and play area, the central plateau features a playground and sunbathing lawn with the embankment platform, while the “Himmeslberg” rises in the east, overlooking the hustle and bustle.
Western plateau
Right at the entrance to the park, the “island sofa” presents itself as a meeting point, an imposing wooden seating on which you can sit or lie down. Above it, within easy reach, is the “Flotsam Playground”. Wooden boxes, seemingly randomly scattered all over a playground, are reminiscent of flotsam from olden times. The “Flotsam Playground” offers various “themed boxes” that encourage creative play. A second key element of the plateau is an artificial turf mini pitch for recreational and school sports.
Central plateau
The central plateau is characterized by the northern embankment seating area. Its elevated position, with a panoramic view of the harbour basin and Versmannkai on the opposite side, makes for an attractive venue, which is also used as a platform for small events. With its extensive lawn under fruit trees, the central plateau also serves as a picnic area for visitors. Three large “sky swings” and a slightly recessed area sheltered among trees with a range of multi-generational fitness training equipment are situated in a prominent position. In the direct vicinity of the newly planned elementary school and day care centre, there is a 100 m running track. The EPDM surface of the running track extends over a flat embankment into a multi-purpose play area including a streetball court with two baskets.
Eastern plateau
The Himmelsberg rises in the east. It forms the striking end of the park, visible from afar, and blends harmoniously into the picturesque landscape of the peninsulas. Like a pyramid, the 15 m high mountain drops steeply on three sides, covered with vegetation, including grass strips and a lacustrine reed zone. Stairs cut into the flat slope of the mountain lead to a viewing platform. If forms the peak of the Himmelsberg and rewards visitors with a panoramic view of the port of Hamburg with its hustle and bustle.
Facts & figures about the park:
lawns and meadows (partly slopes): approx. 7,040 m²
total number of trees: 101
PLAY AND SPORTS AREAS (selection):
4 streetball/basketball baskets
3 sky swings
EPDM surface (running track and streetball court): approx. 1,080 m²
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