Schützenmattpark

Schützenmattpark in Basel is one of the city's largest green spaces, covering just under five hectares. Basel describes it as its first "Volkspark", a public park meant for everyone rather than a private or aristocratic garden. Today it combines lawns and mature trees with playgrounds, fitness equipment and a historic restaurant.

Where does the name come from?

The name goes back to the 15th century. Rifle shooting was a popular pastime in Basel at the time, so the city council gave local marksmen this ground for practice. "Schützenmatte" roughly means "marksmen's meadow". The shooting range moved to the Allschwiler Weiher pond in 1899, which freed the site for a new use.

How did the park come about?

Basel's city gardener Johann Niklaus Scholer designed and laid out the park as a landscape garden on the former shooting meadow, and it opened in 1900. Its basic structure has survived to this day with few changes, so a walk here is also a look at late 19th-century garden design. In 2025 the city marked the park's 125th anniversary with a brochure on its history and wildlife, plus guided tours on garden heritage, park design and native plants and animals.

What can you see and do here?

• Playground. The park has an individually designed children's playground. In 2015 the canton approved around CHF 470,000 to renovate the play islands and add an exercise course, because some areas no longer met safety standards.
• Exercise equipment. Play and fitness equipment is available for all generations, not only children.
• Schützenhaus. The restaurant at Schützenmattstrasse 56 occupies a listed building. Its core is a solid masonry marksmen's house from 1561, and a foundation supports its upkeep on behalf of the Gesellschaft der Feuerschützen.
• Stadion Schützenmatte. The home ground of BSC Old Boys Basel sits right next to the park.

When should you visit?

The park is public and open during the day. It looks best in the warmer months, when the lawns and trees are fully green. Families will appreciate the playground, and visitors exploring the city can pair a stroll with lunch at the Schützenhaus. Current tour dates and events are published by Stadtgärtnerei Basel (the city gardening department) at bs.ch.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Schützenmattpark? No. It is public green space run by the city and free to enter.

Is it a good place for children? Yes. There is a dedicated playground, renovated in 2015, plus movement equipment for different age groups.

When was the park created? It opened in 1900, after the shooting range moved away in 1899. The name of the site itself dates back to the 15th century.

Can you eat at the park? The Schützenhaus restaurant at Schützenmattstrasse 56 is nearby, in a listed building whose roots go back to the 16th century.