Increased controls to protect green spaces in Berlin

Employees of the public order office check the papers of a dog handler in Schillerpark.

Berlin's boroughs want to take action against littering in parks in the capital by stepping up controls.

The employees of the public order offices will be on the streets more often this week in civilian or official clothing and will address visitors about violations, the districts announced. They will also be checking whether dog owners are complying with the leash requirement for their four-legged friends. The joint action of all districts was intended to sensitise the visitors for a more careful protection of the green spaces, the authorities said.

Large and small parks targeted

In Mitte alone, where people like to party in James-Simon-Park and Monbijoupark, a total of 50 employees will patrol from about 6 am to 10 pm, according to district information. "The aim is to target as many, if not all, green spaces (from small to large) in the district as possible," the district said.

Administrative offence procedures for violations

Anyone who violates the Green Spaces Act must expect to be reported to the police and then face administrative offence proceedings. The staff of the public order offices can also ask dog owners and polluters to pay directly on the spot. A maximum of 55 euros can be paid in cash, they said. The advantage of this is that the process is completed on the spot.

Leash requirement for dogs in Berlin parks

According to Berlin's dog law, dogs must be kept on a leash of no more than two metres in public green spaces or parks. Exceptions apply only in areas marked as exercise areas. According to the Green Spaces Act, owners are also obliged to remove dog excrement. In general, a number of rules apply when visiting public green spaces and recreational areas. These include, for example, that cigarette butts should only be disposed of in rubbish bins or that barbecues are only allowed in certain areas.