CDU party member advocates for a canine-friendly shoreline at Airport Lake
In the heart of Berlin, plans are afoot to establish a dog beach at the Tegel airport lake. The abandoned airport area, now transitioning for public use, offers a spacious, natural water area that is ideal for dogs to swim and play freely.
The lake, known for its clean water and ample open space, has been recognised as a potential spot for a dog beach in local urban development and recreational forums. The initiative aims to create a dedicated outdoor recreational spot for dogs within the city, taking advantage of the large green and water areas left after the airport's closure.
While official city documentation or announcements regarding this plan are yet to be confirmed, the idea of a dog beach at the Tegel airport lake is gaining traction. Reinickendorf district councilor, Felix Schoenebeck, is at the forefront of this movement, advocating for an official dog beach specifically by the airport lake.
Schoenebeck finds it absurd that there is a large dog exercise area by the water but no legal place for dogs to swim. He believes that the legal hurdles for a dog beach at Tegel airport lake can be surmounted with a sign designating a clearly marked spot where dogs are allowed.
Many dog owners, like Ramona Lauke (50), who has paid a 120 euro fine for swimming with her dog despite the ban, have expressed their support for a dog beach at Tegel airport lake. The CDU has submitted an official application to the Reinickendorf district council for a dog beach on the Tegel airport lake, to be discussed in September.
Katja Schuster (37), assistant to the management, supports the project for a dog beach at Tegel airport lake. She believes that most dogs only want to splash around at the edge of the lake and have fun, and allowing them a few minutes in the cold water would make them feel better.
Currently, dogs are not allowed in bathing spots in Berlin, according to the Berlin dog law. However, the Tegel airport lake, located next to a large dog exercise area, is currently recommended by the LAGeSo without restriction for swimming, unlike the Tegeler See, where warnings against blue algae are common.
If established, Schoenebeck is confident that if Tegel establishes a dog beach, other districts might follow suit and create more dog bathing spots in the future. His goal is for every district to have one or two dog bathing spots in the future. For now, only at the dog beach on the Grunewaldsee can dogs swim freely.
As the discussion continues, Berlin dog owners await the decision that could bring a much-anticipated change to their furry companions' lives. The potential establishment of a dog beach at Tegel airport lake could mark a significant step in Berlin's broader trend of creating new green urban recreational areas in repurposed zones.
- Felix Schoenebeck, the Reinickendorf district councilor, has proposed the creation of a dog beach at Tegel airport lake, stating that it would be an ideal addition to the home-and-garden lifestyle and pet-friendly initiatives in Berlin.
- As the city considers plans for a dog beach at Tegel airport lake, local politics are intertwined with general news, as dog owners hope for a change in regulations that would allow pets to enjoy the water at designated bathing spots.
- The prospect of a dog beach at Tegel airport lake could spark a wider movement in Berlin, according to Schoenebeck, as it might inspire other districts to establish more pet-friendly home-and-garden areas, catering to both humans' and their furry companions' lifestyles.
