Munich - Westpark

Westpark, laid out for the fourth International Garden Show (IGA 83), lies some 3km/2mi southwest of the main railroad station in Munich. Beautifully designed and planted, it has an area of 72,000sq.m/178 acres and extends for about 2km/1.25mi from east to west, divided into an eastern and western half by Garmischer Strasse.

The park has extensive lawns on which to relax, and ponds stocked with carp, goldfish and turtles. Scent from the flower-beds and rose bushes fills the air. Other features include an attractive lily pond, several playgrounds and football pitches, a narrow-gauge railroad, outdoor chess, a Kneipp treatment center, a lakeside theater (open-air concerts) and two cafes. The delightful ensemble commonly known as Klein-Asien (Little Asia) consists of a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden, a Thai Sala and a pagoda (constructed by 200 Nepalese craftsmen).

The park is particularly appealing to children on account of its several well-designed play areas equipped with a variety of apparatus, paddling pools etc. There is even a specially constructed stream with miniature barrages.

One of the playgrounds is designed specifically for disabled youngsters.

At Bayerwaldhaus there is a well-stocked medicinal plant and herb garden.

Situated in the eastern section of the park, the little Mollsee attracts model boat enthusiasts.

Also in the eastern part of the park is the large Rudi Sedlmayer Sports Hall, a frequent venue for pop and rock concerts as well as sporting events.

At the eastern end of the park stand the ultra-modern headquarters of the German motoring organization ADAC (Allgemeine Deutsche Automobil-Club).