We live around the corner from Haynspark, and when I told a friend that we were looking in the neighborhood, she said to be sure to check out Haynspark, because it was something special. I agree.
The park sits along the west bank of the Alster River (before it opens into the lake), and consists of two main lawns, a few small playgrounds (one enclosed), and a wading pool (der Planschi) that's open in the summer. There's a boat rental on the southern end of the park, a kindergarten nearby, and a cafe and restaurant on the northern side.
In the winter things are pretty quiet, but in the spring and summer the plants all come back to life, the ducks and geese come to raise their young, and Hamburgers (the people) are packed in across the lawns. There's a lot a lot of grilling, sunbathing, lawn game playing, and general chilling out.
The park isn't big enough to walk very long around it, but it does make up part of a riverside path that comes up Leinpfad from the south, runs through Haynspark, and then continues north in a river path along the east bank. Great place to start a run going in either direction. read more