The airfield was officially used by the US Army as a training base and military transport facility for several decades after World War II.
The site is a major hub for the 'Grüngürtel' (Green Belt) bicycle path network, which circles the entire city of Frankfurt.
The runway has been intentionally left in its original configuration, providing a flat, obstacle-free path for inline skaters and pedestrians.
The project won the German Landscape Architecture Award for its successful conversion of a brownfield site into a natural habitat.
The Alter Flugplatz Frankfurt am Main is a former civil airfield located in the Bonames district, repurposed as part of the Frankfurt Green Belt. It operated as a municipal airfield from 1912 until 1992, serving as a hub for general aviation and flight schools. Today, the 14-hectare site functions as a public park and recreational area for walking, cycling, and skating. The landing strip remains paved, allowing visitors to walk directly along the historic runway. A permanent exhibition on the site chronicles the airfield's history, including its use by the US Army during the mid-20th century. The central control tower building now houses a cafe, serving as the primary visitor amenity. The surrounding landscape is designed to encourage local biodiversity, acting as a transition zone between the city and the surrounding agricultural fields. It serves as a key waypoint on the Green Belt trail network.
The vantage point from the former control tower building looking down the full length of the runway.
Bring a bike or inline skates to traverse the long, flat runway efficiently.
Check the local weather forecast, as the open field offers minimal protection from wind and sun.
Combine your visit with a walk through the neighboring Nidda River parklands.
Do not wander into the high-grass ecological protection zones adjacent to the runway, as these are managed habitats.
The park is open year-round, though the cafe operating hours may fluctuate based on the season.
