Plänterwald (German pronunciation:[ˈplɛntɐˌvalt]ⓘ) is a German locality (Ortsteil) within the Berlin borough (Bezirk) of Treptow-Köpenick. Until 2001 it was part of the former borough of Treptow and the site of its former town hall.[2]
History
The name Plänterwald derives from the German word Plenterwald, referring to a timber forest.[citation needed] The 89 hectares of the forest were first economically used in 1760, and in 1969 the northern side became part of the Spreepark (better known as Cultural Park Plänterwald[3]). In 1920, as part of the former municipality of Treptow, it merged into Berlin with the "Greater Berlin Act". Crossed by the "Berlin Wall" on its borders with Neukölln from 1961 to 1989, the locality became autonomous in 1997, separated from Alt-Treptow and Baumschulenweg.[4]
Within Plänterwald is Spreepark, an abandoned amusement park, which operated from October 1969 until 2001.
The owner of Spreepark, Norbert Witte, went bankrupt and left Germany rather abruptly. He took several of the park's rides including the Jet Star and Fun Express with him to Peru where he was to open a small park called Lunapark at Jockey Plaza in Lima, Peru. Some of the rides were damaged in transit and then followed by legal discussions of who would pay for the damages.[citation needed]
