East Park

East Park (East Park) lies in the south-eastern part of Wrocław, in the Księże district, and covers over 30 hectares. It is one of the few Wrocław parks situated on islands, both formed by the branches of the Oława river, which surround the area on every side.

A park on two islands of the Oława

East Park lies in the area between two branches of the Oława. The Lower Oława (Oława Dolna) surrounds it from the north, while the Upper Oława (Oława Górna) flows around it from the east and south, then turns north and closes off the area from the west, joining the Lower Oława at the north-western end. The two branches are additionally linked by a stream cutting across the park, flowing out of the Upper Oława. As a result, the park effectively lies on two islands. Besides the main arms of the river, several smaller, unnamed watercourses also run through the area.

Getting there and allotment gardens

The only available route to the park is an unpaved road leading from Krakowska Street across Most Parkowy (Park Bridge). Driving into the park is forbidden, except for access to a small complex of allotment gardens in the northern part of the western island. There is a small, publicly accessible car park before the bridge. The park lies at a considerable distance from residential development, the nearest being the small Wilczy Kąt estate to the north-west, then the large Rakowiec estate further off, and to the south-east the buildings of the Księże Małe estate.

What you will see on a walk

The park was designed in the 1920s. Its designer was Paul Dannenberg, at the time the director of municipal horticulture in Wrocław. Within the park there are several small bridges and footbridges, and in the central part a small pond, next to which a children's playground has been set up. At the eastern end of the park the Oława river forks, and at the fork stand two weirs directing the flow of water between the branches. Beyond the weirs lie Wrocław's water-supply areas, no longer accessible to visitors. You can also see a monument from 1935 dedicated to the SA, and the remains of a former bridge over the Upper Oława, known as Kładka Parkowa (the Park Footbridge), of which the abutments have survived; it used to lead to the grounds of the Burza sports club with a swimming pool that operated until the 1980s.

Name and management of the park

East Park is looked after by the Municipal Green Spaces Authority (Zarząd Zieleni Miejskiej), which reports to the Department of Architecture and Development of the Wrocław City Office. The present name has been in force under a resolution of the Wrocław City Council from October 1993 concerning the names of parks and wooded areas in Wrocław.

Nearby

A few kilometres from the park, on the other side of the estate, lies the Afrykarium, one of the more popular attractions in this part of the city.

Close to it is also the Wrocław Zoo.

A little further on stands the Centennial Hall.

Next to it stretches the Japanese Garden. These are attractions that can easily be added to a trip around this part of Wrocław.

Practical information

• Getting there: an unpaved road from Krakowska Street across Most Parkowy, with a small car park before the bridge
• Driving into the park is forbidden, except for access to the allotment gardens
• Expect a walk surrounded by water: the park lies on two islands surrounded by branches of the Oława, with small bridges, a pond and a playground
• The opening hours and exact address are worth checking before your visit, as the park has no official website