Grugapark, Botanical park in Essen, Germany
Grugapark is a 65-hectare park in Essen with extensive gardens, lakes, tropical houses and a collection of 40 sculptures spread across the site. The layout combines plant displays with open lawns where visitors walk between shaded tree groves and flower beds.
The park opened in 1929 for the Great Ruhrland Garden Exhibition and marked a shift from heavy industry toward green public spaces in Essen. After World War II the site was restored and expanded over the following decades.
The name blends 'green' with 'garden' and recalls the major horticultural show held here in 1929. Today locals use the grounds for jogging, picnics or weekend family gatherings.
The park lies about 3.5 km southwest of Essen city centre in Rüttenscheid, bounded by Norbertstraße, Lührmannstraße and Am Grugapark. The Lührmannstraße cuts it east-west, and a foot and cycle path, the Grugatrasse, runs along the former railway embankment to the north. The Grugahalle and Messe Essen adjoin the grounds.
The slender grey tower visible above the lawns is the Grugaturm, a viewing tower with a flat-topped platform and a small lattice mast. On 20 September 1909 the airship LZ 6 landed on the field between this spot and today's Grugahalle, the first Zeppelin landing on Essen soil; church bells rang and cannon fired salute.
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