24. East Germany had lots of public parks
A rather more intentional ‘green’ policy in the GDR saw the creation of numerous public parks. These green spaces encouraged citizens to gather together and engage in communal activities. In a public park, everyone was equal except the authorities. They provided a visible expression of socialist ideals of shared property and resources. Meetings could be held there, and State-run activities for children. Parks are perhaps the most beneficial of all GDR legacies. Many can still be visited today, such as Ernst Thälmann Park in Berlin, which has a planetarium and swimming pool.