When I first moved to Berlin I could not wait to start exploring! Park am Nordbahnhof is one of the 1st parks I visited, but unfortunately for us 4 legged friends we cannot officially run off leash here. Such a shame as the mix of meadow and woodland is perfect for our four paws. Despite this is does rank highly for an afternoon or early morning sniff and is a reminder of Berlins history .
The park has many entrances and exits and runs for nearly 1 km alongside the Gartenstrasse in Berlin Mitte. My favourite route is to enter near the Liesenbrücken, this old bridge is under Denkmalschutz, and is a protected monument. As I trot along the path there are reminders that in pre-war times this park once used to be Stettin Railway Station.
As we venture further into the park there is a line of cobblestones which I love to follow through the trees.
The stones mark the former route of the Berlin Wall and this part of the park makes me feel that I am not in the city but in a wooded oasis. As we come to the end, we walk along the opposite side, by the inner wall (remember my jigsaw puzzle?). In the middle of the park is a large meadow, it always looks so inviting but unfortunately it is a nature conservation project and us dogs are not supposed to run around there. I can definitely smell those urban foxes!!
All cut back for Winter 
Walking along the inner wall 
Summertime 
Inner wall 
One of the many stone piles
It is hard to imagine how this park was once the ‘death strip’ separating the East from the West. The piles of stone we walk past are a reminder of where the guard towers used to be
Finally looking back over the park there is a lovely view of the Fernsehen Turm – a constant reminder that I am in the middle of an amazing city, with so much to explore!
Note to my fellow 4 pawed buddies – please DO NOT eat whatever tasty morsels you may find lying on the ground! One morning after my usual stroll through this park, along with a sniff and an accidental nibble of something, I found myself staring into space on a drip at my vets for the day! Not a nice experience. I heard a lot of mutterings about me being high. I definitely ate something bad (and most likely illegal!).
However, as much as I try, us Cocker Spaniels find snacking outside irresistible!