The Volkspark Alt-Marl stands like no other green space in the city for the rapid urban development triggered by mining, starting in the middle of the 19th century and the associated upheavals in more recent times with the abandonment of hard coal mining in Germany. In the 1920s, the effects of industrialization - and in Marl mainly mining - showed the need for "public welfare" through opportunities for healthy recreation for miners in the colony or Brassert colliery and the wider citizenry. The rapid growth of the population made it seem necessary to the then mayor of the "Amt Marl" to create a "promenade". This is how the Volkspark came about in a small valley on the Weierbach. There were already small, near-natural "reservoirs" for the water management of the grain mill. Today it is part of the Marl local history museum and is cut off from the Volkspark by the "Guido - Heiland- Bad" outdoor pool that was built in the 1960s.
Modeled on an English landscape park
The design idea of the park corresponds to the model of an English landscape park with a "curved eight" as a path area, a small promenade and an alternation of solitary trees, open areas and denser green structures. The Weierbach flows through the park. Its source is less than two kilometers away. Its water volume is small. Until then, the structural framework was formed by the Gründerzeit development on Ophoffstraße, the north-eastern boundary of the park. To the north is the oldest part of the settlement area of Marl, the area of Hochstrasse/Loestrasse with the Church of St. George, the oldest church in the entire area.
Aviaries and concert shell
After the Second World War and the subsequent enormous increase in population and the explosive growth of the chemical and mining industries, the park's facilities were supplemented. An aviary for small animals and birds was built on the promenade, which was maintained by a group of friends, the Stadtgartenverein, until the turn of the millennium, but was then abandoned for financial and personnel reasons. At the end of the 1950s, a small "concert shell" was erected, which is still used today for small events.
Stadium built after World War II
Adjacent to the south, the Volksparkstadion for the Alt-Marl football club was built at the same time. With standing tiers, the stadium holds around 10,000 visitors. The stadium also includes two training grounds. The uses were given up for cost reasons in the course of the strengthening pact regulations. The clubhouse is currently being used temporarily as living space for refugees.
Lost in attraction
Today, the Volkspark primarily serves residents from the Alt-Marl district as a place to relax. With the playground realized a few years ago in the new development area in the west, families are increasingly visiting the park again. A new support association is taking care of the maintenance of sub-areas. Due to the declining attractiveness and reduced entertainment, the park has lost much of its appeal. It is the location for the Volksparkfest, the largest event with around 30,000 visitors in Marl.