Playground in Nordsternpark | Photos & Reviews

The playground in Nordsternpark is one of those places where families in Gelsenkirchen can effortlessly connect nature, movement, and city history. The official entry from the city of Gelsenkirchen locates the facility at the main entrance of the former BUGA site and describes a compact play area of 275 square meters with a climbing combination including a slide, playhouse, two spring rockers, a horizontal bar, carousel, and slide. At the same time, the area is situated in a park that is much more than just a single play area: Nordsternpark was transformed into a landscape park after the closure of the Nordstern coal mine in 1993 with the help of the Federal Garden Exhibition in 1997 and continues to connect the districts of Horst and Heßler. This contrast of green expanses, industrial memory, and child-friendly play makes the location so interesting. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/fit_und_aktiv/spiel-_und_bolzplaetze__skateranlagen__bauspielplaetze/karte/poi/1910-nordsternpark))

For the search for photos and reviews, it is important to know that Nordsternpark as a whole provides many strong motifs: bridges, water, sight axes, old mining structures, and play areas are closely located together. The city of Gelsenkirchen highlights the park as a 100-hectare paradise for play and movement, refers to designated cycling and running paths, and mentions around 450,000 visitors per year. At the same time, the Kinderland website describes the offerings in the middle of Nordsternpark as a place for nature experiences, education, and recreational activities for families and children's groups. This creates a destination that is not only practical but also visually appealing for photography. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/ausfluege_und_sehenswuerdigkeiten/nordsternpark/Erlebnis_Nordsternpark/index.aspx))

Where exactly is the playground in Nordsternpark located?

The exact classification is crucial for finding the right entrance, as Nordsternpark is large and consists of several sub-areas. The municipal playground page lists the Nordsternpark playground at the main entrance of the former BUGA site. The Kinderland in Nordsternpark is operated by Ziegenmichel e. V. and is located at Eggemannstraße 51 in 45883 Gelsenkirchen. Both pieces of information belong to the same park world but mark different search paths: those looking for the municipal playground are more oriented towards the Nordstern building and the former BUGA area; those searching for family offerings with a nature and educational character will find the Kinderland and its offerings in the park. This is why both place names are relevant in practice. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/fit_und_aktiv/spiel-_und_bolzplaetze__skateranlagen__bauspielplaetze/karte/poi/1910-nordsternpark))

The Nordsternpark itself is historically closely linked to the transformation of the former Nordstern coal mine. After its closure in 1993, the area was completely renovated and transformed into a landscape park with the help of the Federal Garden Exhibition in 1997. The city describes that as many building elements of the mine as possible were to be preserved, including the coal mixing plant, conveyor bridge, and coal bunker. This connection between the old industrial site and the new recreational area explains why families do not experience the place as an isolated playground but as part of a larger, very diverse park landscape. The playground is thus not simply located somewhere, but right in the middle of one of the most significantly transformed industrial zones of the Ruhr area. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/Freizeit/Ausfluege_und_Sehenswuerdigkeiten/Parks_und_Halden/Nordsternpark.aspx))

What play equipment and areas are available?

Those visiting the playground in Nordsternpark specifically for its equipment will find a clearly described and manageable offering. The city of Gelsenkirchen mentions a climbing combination with a slide, a playhouse, two spring rockers, a horizontal bar, a carousel, and another slide. Thus, the area is not a huge adventure park with countless zones, but a compact play area that can be particularly attractive for younger children and families with shorter stays. The official size of 275 square meters confirms this impression: the area is deliberately manageable, easy to overview, and well-suited for a quick stop as well as for a longer family break in Nordsternpark. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/fit_und_aktiv/spiel-_und_bolzplaetze__skateranlagen__bauspielplaetze/karte/poi/1910-nordsternpark))

Another important detail is the year of construction, 2000. The area was thus not left as a historical relic but created as part of the newer park development. Additionally, a sponsor is mentioned on the city page: the CDU local association Horst has taken over the sponsorship of the playground. Such sponsorships are often a sign that a play area is anchored in the neighborhood and is regularly used. For parents, this is interesting because it shows that the area not only exists in the park plan but is also locally supported. In conjunction with the neighboring park landscape, this creates a place that is functional, easy to find, and well-suited for everyday life with children. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/fit_und_aktiv/spiel-_und_bolzplaetze__skateranlagen__bauspielplaetze/karte/poi/1910-nordsternpark))

Access, Parking, and Public Transport

For practical access, Nordsternpark is well connected, but especially during events, one should plan with a bit of buffer time. The Gelsenkirchen amphitheater, which is located in the park area, is described by official sources as being not far from the A42 exit Gelsenkirchen-Heßler; from there, the signage continues towards Nordsternpark, and the travel time from the highway exit is a maximum of five minutes according to the operator. Parking options include the parking lot at the amphitheater and the Nordsternpark parking garage. At the same time, the organizer generally recommends arriving by public transport, as parking spaces can be limited and early arrival is advisable. ([amphitheater-gelsenkirchen.de](https://amphitheater-gelsenkirchen.de/about/))

Public transport is also clearly described: Bus line 383 brings visitors from Gelsenkirchen main station directly to the Krokuswinkel / Rhein-Herne-Kanal stop, from there it is only a few minutes on foot. For families, this is a comfortable solution if no private parking is sought or if the visit is combined with an outing to the amphitheater or other park areas. The city of Gelsenkirchen also mentions in a parking information for the Nordsternpark festival free and paid parking spaces, including the area directly at the amphitheater, the parking garage at Nordsternpark, and other smaller parking areas at the southern entrance. Therefore, those traveling with children should not plan their arrival at the last minute and should keep an eye on the signposted options in advance. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/_meta/aktuelles/artikel/28913-parken-beim-nordsternparkfest))

What else can families expect in Nordsternpark?

The playground is just one part of a much larger family offering. The city describes the Kinderland in Nordsternpark as a huge water and adventure playground with educational offerings, holiday programs, and a small café. The official Kinderland website adds that the area is located in the middle of Nordsternpark and offers free or low-cost nature experiences, educational opportunities, and recreational activities for children's groups and families. This creates a clear added value: those coming for the playground can easily take advantage of other offerings without having to change locations. This is particularly interesting for families with children of different age groups, as play, breaks, snacks, and nature experiences can be directly connected. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/ausfluege_und_sehenswuerdigkeiten/nordsternpark/Erlebnis_Nordsternpark/index.aspx))

Especially family-friendly is also the gastronomic environment. The integration café in Kinderland offers snacks and drinks at low prices, including ice cream on a stick, freshly squeezed fruit juice, free wholesome lunch for children on Wednesdays, and daily changing lunch specials and cakes. The café is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. Additionally, there is an organic garden in Nordsternpark, which was established during the Federal Garden Exhibition in 1997 and later taken over by Ziegenmichel. There are fruit trees, herb beds, a small pond, and a garden shed; together with children, fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested. For families, this means: the park is not only a place to romp but also a place to watch, learn, and discover. ([kinderland-gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.kinderland-gelsenkirchen.de/index.php?Itemid=41&id=40&layout=blog&option=com_content&view=category))

History and Design: From Mining Site to Landscape Park

The special charm of Nordsternpark lies in its designed landscape. The city of Gelsenkirchen explains that the industrial heritage was to be visibly preserved from the beginning and served as a guiding motif for the park design. Between 1992 and 1997, a team led by landscape architect Prof. Wedig Pridik worked on the area. Characteristic elements include clear sight axes, clear geometric shapes, diagonals to balance height differences, and bridges as landmarks. This creates a park image that does not rely on playfulness but on precise order. This is why the paths, bridges, and open sight relationships in Nordsternpark appear so striking and make the place visually interesting. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/ausfluege_und_sehenswuerdigkeiten/nordsternpark/landschaftsarchitektur/index.aspx))

In the same context, it is also worth looking at the architectural relics. The city refers to the mining architects Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer, whose functional industrial architecture continues to shape the image of the site today. In the park, a straight sight axis opens the view of the coal mixing plant, conveyor bridge, and coal bunker of the former Nordstern mine. This is complemented by further features such as the Nordstern tower with a visitor terrace and exhibition, the 63-meter-long mining tunnel, the approximately 400-meter-long graffiti wall, and the alpine climbing rocks. This places the playground in a larger cultural and landscape context that goes far beyond a simple children's area. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/ausfluege_und_sehenswuerdigkeiten/nordsternpark/landschaftsarchitektur/index.aspx))

Photos, Impressions, and Why the Place is So Often Searched

Those searching for photos of the playground in Nordsternpark are often looking for a quick impression: what does the facility look like, how spacious is the area, and does the place fit their family? This is where Nordsternpark has an advantage. The city shows the park on its pages with various motifs, including water, paths, bridges, play areas, and landscape architecture. At the same time, Visit Gelsenkirchen describes the park as a place with hiking and cycling paths, children's playgrounds, boat docks, restaurants, and an amphitheater. The images and descriptions thus convey not only a single playground but a whole outing feeling. ([visit.gelsenkirchen.de](https://visit.gelsenkirchen.de/de/Sehensw%C3%BCrdigkeiten/Highlights.aspx))

The high visitor frequency also explains why the place appears online again and again. The city mentions around 450,000 visitors per year and emphasizes that there is guaranteed to be no boredom in Nordsternpark. The combination of family offerings, cultural sites, water references, industrial backdrop, and movement areas makes the location interesting for different target groups. For parents, this is practical because the visit can be easily adapted to their own daily schedule: a quick playground stop, a longer park walk, a café break, a bike ride, or a visit to the amphitheater can be easily combined. Thus, those looking for pictures, impressions, and reliable information will find in Nordsternpark a destination that often offers more in real life than a single photo might initially suggest. ([gelsenkirchen.de](https://www.gelsenkirchen.de/de/freizeit/ausfluege_und_sehenswuerdigkeiten/nordsternpark/Erlebnis_Nordsternpark/index.aspx))

Sources:

• City of Gelsenkirchen - Playground Nordsternpark
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Nordsternpark
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Leisure & Sports in Nordsternpark
• City of Gelsenkirchen - Landscape Architecture in Nordsternpark
• Kinderland Gelsenkirchen - Contact
• Kinderland Gelsenkirchen - Homepage
• Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen - Info & Access