Wildpark Lüneburger Heide Invests in New Experiences and More
Alexander Tietz, head of the wildlife park, is investing in the future and in an even better visitor experience.
(eap) Germany’s Wildpark Lüneburger Heide near Nindorf-Hanstedt is planning several major investments in its visitor offering and operational infrastructure by spring 2027. Several million euros are to be invested in projects including a new play and experience area, a comprehensive modernisation of the main restaurant and the construction of a new staff facilities building.
A new family-oriented play area called “Willis Wilde Welt” is to be created on the site of the existing adventure playground. The park mascot “Willi Wildpark”, together with other animal characters such as a wolf and a bear, will play a central role in the design. Some of the existing play equipment from the current adventure playground is to be dismantled and reinstalled at other locations within the park.
At the same time, the main restaurant will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment and conceptual redesign. In addition to a new interior and exterior design, the plans include modernised sanitary facilities and a new event area. The food and beverage concept as well as operational and service processes are also to be revised. In terms of energy efficiency, the building will receive new insulation and a heat pump system, among other measures. As part of the redevelopment, the restaurant will also be given a new name, which is to be announced at a later date. Work on the restaurant and Willis Wilde Welt is scheduled to be completed by mid-March 2027.
The wildlife park is also investing behind the scenes. A two-storey operational building covering around 1,000 square metres is being constructed to bring together several of the park’s operational departments under one roof. The building will include offices, changing rooms and a staff canteen, as well as storage and work areas for the animal care team. Modern workspaces and a larger meeting room are also planned.
For the energy supply of the new building, the wildlife park will install photovoltaic systems and a battery storage. The aim is to cover as much of the building’s energy demand as possible on site. In the medium term, the park also intends to further electrify its operational vehicle fleet.
The investment in staff infrastructure also includes 13 additional accommodation units in the immediate vicinity of the wildlife park. Together with the existing units, this will bring the total number of staff accommodation units to 20. According to the park, the new working and living facilities are a response to its growth in recent years and the resulting increase in staffing and infrastructure requirements.
“We are deliberately investing in the future of the wildlife park – in a special experience for our guests, in modern and sustainable infrastructure and, above all, in good working conditions for our employees. The wildlife park has grown steadily in recent years, and now is the right time for our structures to grow with it. In doing so, we not only want to become more modern, but also more energy-efficient and less dependent on fossil resources,” explains Alexander Tietz, Head of Wildpark Lüneburger Heide. ■
