Park Helenów

Park Helenów lies in Bałuty, between Północna, Źródłowa and Smugowa streets, and covers 12 hectares. Established in the 19th century as a garden adjoining a nearby brewery, for decades it was one of Łódź's more popular walking destinations, and until 1945 it also housed a zoological garden.

The Anstadt family garden

The park was founded in 1881 by the Anstadt family, owners of the neighbouring brewery. The design was created by the Berlin horticultural firm L. Späth. It opened to the public on 15 May 1885. Julian Tuwim wrote that one could reach green Helenów by the green number four, referring to tram line 4, which leads to this place to this day.

A menagerie that is no more

In March 1890, a menagerie with bears, a chimpanzee, deer and birds was established in the park. The zoological garden operated until the end of the Second World War, after which it was dismantled. This is a different facility from the Miejski Ogród Zoologiczny [Municipal Zoo] operating today in Łódź, which was established in a completely different part of the city and much later.

Ponds, grotto and tennis court

When the park was being laid out, the Łódka river bed was regulated, which resulted in two large ponds in the valley. A boat landing once operated on one of them. To this day, a replica grotto with volcanic lava and a fountain with a figure of a woman surrounded by four swans have been preserved. The park's history also records a tennis court, a cycling track, a concert hall, an observation tower, as well as a restaurant and café. The park is home to protected oak, beech and ash trees.

From the abolition of fees to the restoration of the name

Before the war, entry to the park involved a fee; after 1945, this was abolished and the park became freely accessible to all residents. In the 1990s, it underwent modernisation: the ponds and paths were restored, a large play area was built and the main avenues were lit. On 27 May 1994, the city council restored the park's historic name, Helenów. The entire site was entered in the heritage register on 6 December 1984 under number A/300.

Practical information

• Address: ul. Północna, Łódź, Bałuty district, area between Północna, Źródłowa and Smugowa streets
• Getting there: tram line 4, Północna stop
• Managed by: Miasto Łódź [City of Łódź]
• What to expect: two ponds, replica volcanic grotto, swan fountain, play area, protected trees