Fit in the Forest
Health Trail in Berlin’s Grunewald Forest

In cooperation with the Berlin Forests (Berliner Forsten) and sports scientists of the Sports Health Park Berlin (Sport-Gesundheitspark Berlin e.V.), gewerkdesign has designed a 1.4 km long public health trail with 14 outdoor devices made of sustainable materials in the Dachsberg forest district in Berlin’s Grunewald. At the time of the commission, the fitness trail, formerly known as "Trimm-dich-Pfad" (Trim Yourself Trail), was almost 20 years old and in urgent need of redesign. The former name also conveyed problematic body images and social claims. The newly designed trail “Fit im Forst” (Fit in the Forest) however, is primarily intended to prevent the most common diseases caused by lack of exercise, to encourage spending time in nature and to promote a generally health-conscious lifestyle. By choice of materials and the location of production, the project pursues a sustainable approach, and a social mission of health education and participation.

The health trail was built in an area of Berlin's Grunewald forest that is a designated landscape conservation area as well as a flora-fauna-habitat (FFH) and bird sanctuary (SPA). The use of reversible ground anchors, instead of concrete foundations, as fixation for the sports equipment, ensures the protection of the landscape, as there is no permanent interference with the soils, and thus flora and fauna. Graphic figures, explain the exercises and in each case specific disease prevention. Their illustration style is gender-neutral and physically rather average-looking, the didactics low-threshold and through the accompanying mascot of the district, the badger, easy going in terms of mediation. The natural oak wood comes from sustainable and regional forestry in Brandenburg. The unvarnished stainless steel is extremely durable and 100% recyclable. Synthetic and composite materials are dispensed with entirely. The extended relaxation phases between the stations invite the visitors to explore the nature reserve and recreation area and also contribute to mental relief.