MFO-Park, Steel frame urban park in Oerlikon, Switzerland
MFO-Park is an urban green space in Zurich's Oerlikon district centered around a striking steel framework covered with climbing vines and wire mesh. The structure rises across multiple levels with stairs, bridges, platforms, and an upper sun deck woven throughout the entire site.
The site occupies the former grounds of the Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon factory and opened in 2002 as part of a project to transform the abandoned industrial area into a public green space. This conversion reflected the neighborhood's shift from manufacturing to contemporary urban development.
The park hosts open-air cinema, music performances, and theater shows that bring people together in a space where nature and art blend naturally. The steel frame serves as both shelter and backdrop for these cultural moments.
The park is a short five-minute walk from Oerlikon train station, making it easy to reach by public transit. Wear sturdy shoes since the stairs and platforms can become slippery when wet.
The site hosts around 1200 climbing plants from roughly 100 species that cover the steel frame and form one of the world's largest pergola structures. The contrast between the industrial metal framework and the lush plant growth creates an unexpected combination in an urban setting.
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