Proposed city park changes face lengthy wait: Car-free weekends may not materialize until seven years from now
The district of Hamburg-Nord has postponed plans to temporarily close the Otto-Wels-Straße in Winterhude to car traffic for seven years. Initially slated for a test run this summer, the busy road was intended to serve as a recreational haven for activities such as ball games, cycling, street art, and inline skating.
Back in January, the SPD, CDU, and FDP parties agreed on the concept, emphasizing that their goal was not to ban cars from the city park but to enhance its recreational value. However, recent developments have seen the district office reject this decision due to a series of large-scale projects scheduled between now and 2032.
The Otto-Wels-Straße, which runs through the city park, has been divided into two halves, and the decision to close it corresponds to an effort to reclaim the space for pedestrians and non-motorized activities. The Green Party fraction has since voiced opposition to the delay, demanding that at least one Sunday during the summer holiday season be allocated for a test run of the car-free initiative.
Their argument hinges on the fact that major road construction is seldom undertaken in Hamburg without first assessing the potential to maintain car traffic at peak times. Thorsten Schmidt, deputy faction leader, finds it "unbelievable" that closing the road for just one Sunday during the summer holiday season remains unattainable despite minimal cars on the road at the time.
Construction projects around the Otto-Wels-Straße include the renovation and redesign of Saarlandstraße from June 30, 2027, to December 31, 2027, the redesign of Eppendorfer Marktplatz from July 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, and the future U5 subway line whose construction pit at Jahnring/Überseering is expected to remain in place from October 2026 to March 2032.
Schmidt had originally presented the concept of closing the city park to cars in November 2024, with proposals extending beyond a weekend and into the entire summer. At the time, he generated headlines with a provocative photo featuring himself clad in pink and colorful attire in the city park. The regional committee Eppendorf-Winterhude will decide on the motion to close the park on one Sunday on June 2.
For the most current and up-to-date developments on this matter, it is recommended to consult official city council or local news sources in Hamburg.
The Green Party fraction of the city council, disagreeing with the delay, urges for at least one Sunday during the summer holiday season to be allocated for a test run of the car-free initiative in the Otto-Wels-Straße, aiming to enhance the area's lifestyle and promote outdoor-living, particularly for activities such as cycling and inline skating, in the home-and-garden setting of the city park. Despite minimal cars on the road, the district office has rejected the decision due to scheduled construction projects that extend until 2032, posing a challenge to the proposed car-free day.
