Spreepark Berlin

The Spreepark was an entertainment park in the north of the Plänterwald in the Berlin district Treptow-Köpenick (formerly part of the GDR-controlled East Berlin). It was well-known also under its earlier name Kulturpark Plänterwald. The entertainment park was opened in 1969 as Kulturpark Plänterwald, covering an area of 29.5 hectares. The area is situated in the north of the Plänterwald, next to the river Spree. It was the only constant entertainment park in the GDR, and the only such park in either East or West Berlin.The VEB cultural park Berlin was completed in 1991 by mixed municipal authorities in Berlin. From seven applicants altogether the Spreepark Berlin company received the contract. Crucially, the references of Norbert Witte of the company were not properly checked. Under the Spreepark GmbH some new attractions were added and visitor numbers reached 1.5 million per annum. Later the concept was changed. The park was transformed gradually to a recreational park on a more western model. From now on an overall fee (adults: 29 DM, children: 27 DM) for admission and for all attractions was charged, instead of visitors paying an individual price at each ride, as had previously been the case. The asphalted surface around the Ferris Wheel was taken up and converted into a water landscape. Roller Coaster, two game water courses, a stage, a Western town and an English village were later added to the park. Since 1999 the park has had to cope with large debts. The increase in the admission fee to 30 DM per person and a lack of parking space contributed to a drop in visitor numbers until in 2001 only 400,000 visitors entered the park. In 2001 Spreepark GmbH announced that they were insolvent. On 18 January 2002, Norbert Witte, together with his family and closest coworkers moved to Lima in Peru. They shipped six attractions (Fliegender Teppich, Butterfly, Spider, Baby-Flug, Wild River and Jet Star) in 20 ship container, having been allowed to do so by the authorities who believed they were being sent for repair. Since 2002 the park has not opened for visitors. In August 2002 the park was declared completely insolvent. Debts at a level of €11,000,000 remained and the area was allowed to fall into disrepair. The Ferris wheel still stands, but has not operated since the park's closure, likewise, the remains of other attractions can still be found on-site. Norbert Witte failed in his attempt to run a "Lunapark" in Lima. On 19 May 2004 he was sentenced to seven years in jail for attempting to smuggle 180 kg of Cocaine with a value of £14 million from Peru to Germany in the masts of the "flying carpet" ride. In October 2006 a Peruvian court sentenced Wittes' son, Marcel Witte, to 20 years for drug smugling. Thanks to Christopher and his hard work to make it possible, we are allowed now to visit the park, within group of max 50 people and for a 15 Euros fee. You can book at Berliner Spreepark and after the tour, please give something to Christopher to thank him because It's worth the visit.