‘Görli is our garden’: Berliners fight to stop mayor locking their park at night
Summary
Berlin’s mayor wanted to lock Görlitzer Park at night to reduce drug-related problems. A court ruled against locking the park, so the fence stays up but the gates remain open around the clock. Locals want money spent on social programs instead of fencing.Key Facts
- Görlitzer Park is a popular green space in Berlin’s Kreuzberg district, covering 14 hectares (35 acres).
- The mayor, Kai Wegner, installed a metal fence costing about €2 million to close the park at night.
- A court ruling ordered that the park gates must remain open 24/7 despite the fence being in place.
- Residents and groups argue the fence does not solve drug issues but moves problems elsewhere.
- The park has long faced drug dealing and safety concerns, including syringes and abuse reports.
- Many locals want funding shifted from policing and fencing to drug treatment and social support.
- The mayor faces criticism and an election challenge partly due to this issue.
- The fence was also controversial because it ignored the district council’s wishes.
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