North Star Park Gelsenkirchen

On the occasion of the Federal Horticultural Show in 1997, a 100-hectare brownfield site on the site of the Nordstern colliery was transformed into an impressive park landscape in just a few years. The extensive area on the Rhine-Herne Canal invites you to stroll, cycle and run. With children's and adventure playgrounds, an educational farm, jetty, restaurants and its amphitheater with open-air stage, the park offers numerous leisure activities.

The heart of the former colliery site and landmark is the North Star Tower with its monumental statue "Hercules of Gelsenkirchen" on the tower roof. The landmark has 18 floors and, with its visitor terrace at a height of around 83 meters, offers an unobstructed view of the vastness of the park, the city and the Ruhr Metropolis.

A multimedia exhibition in the North Star Tower shows the change in location. Over seven floors, visitors learn a lot of interesting facts about the past and present of mining in the Ruhr area.

Arrow-straight lines of sight, deliberately set diagonals, clear geometric structures and eye-catching bridge constructions characterize the design concept of the landscape park, which was developed by landscape architect Prof. Wedig Pridik. The colliery buildings remain a central element. The eventful history of the Nordstern colliery in Gelsenkirchen was not "hidden" but deliberately included in the project design - and proudly presented.

The Nordsternpark has become a sought-after leisure and event location and a popular destination. It is a regular venue for major events such as the VIVAWEST marathon or the ExtraShift.

Barrier-free, with no significant inclines and as large as 130 football pitches, the Nordsternpark is also an ideal area for cyclists. The location is connected to both the Emscher Cycle Path and the regional R25 cycle path.

The Nordsternpark offers two running routes for runners: one five kilometers long, the other ten kilometers long. And of course the runners can let off steam on the many paths in the park.

In addition, the Gelsenkirchen Alpine Club operates a climbing facility with 80 routes of all levels of difficulty in the Nordsternpark.

Last but not least, the “White Fleet” runs on schedule between the Nordsternpark jetty and Oberhausen in the summer months. There are also many special trips via the Rhine-Herne Canal.