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About this place
Gustav-Ammann-Park is a small heritage garden in Zurich's Oerlikon district, set on the grounds of the former Oerlikon-Bührle works. At roughly 3,000 m² it is no full-day destination, but it offers a calm pause in a part of the city otherwise dominated by modern development.
What is the story behind the park?
The garden was laid out in 1942 as a place of rest for employees of the Bührle machine-tool factory. Swiss landscape architect Gustav Ammann, who worked in a modernist idiom, designed it. His aim was a quiet refuge from the noise of the workshops rather than a showpiece, and that intent still shapes the place.
In 1996 the privately owned grounds were placed under protection as a garden monument. A year later the formerly nameless site was opened to residents and named after its designer. A gentle renovation in 2004/2005 kept every historic garden feature intact.
What will you see?
- A winding path across a gentle slope, with a few small seating spots
- A rustic Ticino-style pergola with granite slabs and natural-stone walls, meant to evoke southern Switzerland
- A water basin framed by dense planting, with stepping stones
- Mature trees, including a tulip tree
The city values the park as a rare, well-preserved example of an industrial welfare garden and an important witness of its era.
How do you get there, and when should you go?
Oerlikon is a large district in northern Zurich with a major railway hub, so public transport from the centre is easy. Late spring and summer are best, when the planting is lush and the pergola gives shade. Entry is free. Half an hour is plenty, and the park pairs well with a stroll through Oerlikon's other new parks.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gustav-Ammann-Park free to visit?
Yes. It is open to everyone, and the city's green-space office, Grün Stadt Zürich, maintains it under a contract with the owner.
Is the park a listed site?
Yes. It is a protected garden monument, and its historic elements were preserved during the 2004/2005 renovation.
Who designed it?
Gustav Ammann, a Swiss landscape architect working in the modernist style.
How long does a visit take?
About 20 to 30 minutes. The park is small and works best as a stop on a walk around Oerlikon.
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