Permanent Preservation of Görlitzer Park Entrances

The entrance gates and gaps in the park's wall are expected to be closed by the end of this year, marking the beginning of a significant transformation for Görlitzer Park in Berlin-Kreuzberg. This change is part of a larger initiative funded by the Senate, which has allocated 28.5 million euros for 30 projects in Kreuzberg and Wedding for the years 2024 and 2025.

Construction work on the park's wall and gates began in the summer, and the evaluation of these measures began in spring 2025. The evaluation aims to investigate and assess the impact of numerous social and security measures around Görlitzer Park, focusing on both factual and perceived safety.

The Senate's initiatives extend beyond just the nighttime closure of Görlitzer Park. The funding supports various initiatives such as drug prevention at schools, increased patrols, cultural and sports projects, needle collection, extended counseling hours, more toilets, and cleaning services. So far, almost 100 applications have been approved for these projects, indicating a wide range of initiatives aimed at improving safety and social conditions in the targeted areas.

The projects are scheduled to run through 2025, and the Senate will make a decision about whether to keep the gates open at night upon completion of the evaluation. The Senate has stated that there is no need to dismantle the fence installations, as the gates do not constitute a permanent barrier. However, the planned metal gates and closed wall around Görlitzer Park will remain, regardless of the effectiveness of the nighttime closure.

The Senate's initiatives also include the deployment of park rangers and neighborhood caretakers who engage with dealers and drug addicts. These community-based social work efforts aim to support addicted persons and provide neighborhood assistance around Görlitzer Park.

The funding for these projects totals 28.5 million euros, with each project receiving an undisclosed portion of this amount. The approval of almost 100 applications indicates a commitment to addressing issues beyond just the nighttime closure of Görlitzer Park. The Senate's comprehensive approach includes additional controls and cleaning at various locations, demonstrating a holistic strategy to curb drug trafficking and violent crime in the area.

The projects are focused on Kreuzberg and Leopoldplatz in Wedding, and the Senate has stated that they will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures to ensure continued improvement in the safety and social conditions of these areas.