Brochure for new citizens

International city of culture | 23 field, for beach volleyball courts, a large children‘s playground as well as a skate facility, and there are oppor- tunities for the trend sport slackline. Recreation and relaxation can be found in any season in one of Heidelberg‘s five swimming pools , the more than 120 sports clubs and over 70 sports facilities and halls, as well as the “alla hopp!” facility in Kirchheim. In the Heidelberg Innovation Park (hip) on Speyerer Straße, the new SNP dome provides additional space for club and school sports. The MLP Academics Heidelberg basketball team and the Rhein-Neckar Löwen handball team also play there. Major sporting events such as the HeidelbergMan triathlon, the SAS half-marathon, international rugby tournaments, the rowing regatta and the Dragon Boat Cup attract recreational and pro- fessional athletes and many spectators. Other events, such as the Family Sports Day, round off the program. The “ExploHeidelberg” on the grounds of the zoo offers fascinating scientific experiments to participate in. The House of Astronomy on the König- stuhl attracts children and adults alike to research into stars, galaxies, planets and black holes. and more is possible. Around 500,000 visitors a year also experience seals, monkeys and exotic birds. The Zoo School offers year-round events for children, teens and adults, such as zoo lessons, zoo vacations and tours with a zoo ranger. More info at www. zoo-heidelberg.de . Tours and chil- dren‘s birthday parties can be booked at www.zooschule-heidelberg.de . In the city forest , there are 250 kilo- meters of hiking trails, numerous rest and lookout points, themed and ad- venture trails, the Königstuhl walk- ing course, designated mountain bike trails, the arboretums, the “Pferchel“ forest adventure area for children and much more to discover. The city forest is outstandingly sustainable: Heidelberg has had the globally rec- ognized PEFC seal of approval for its forest management since 2001. In 2015, Heidelberg was the first city in Germany to receive the “Recreational Forest“ certificate for the high rec- reational quality of its entire forest in accordance with PEFC standards. In 2018, Heidelberg was allowed to call itself “PEFC Forest Capital.“ This was followed in 2021 by the PEFC designation “Spa and Healing Forest“ – likewise as the first German city. The environmental education program “Natürlich Heidelberg” lets visitors experience nature and the forests around the city in a new way. FromMarch to December, guided tours, excursions and hands-on activities for children, young people and adults take place. The offers, including barbecue huts, can be booked directly at www. natuerlich.heidelberg.de . The riverbank at the Neckar is also particularly popular as a play, sports, sunbathing and recreational area. In addition, a part is used as a soccer 22 | International city of culture The river banks at the Neckar are a popular spot to meet and relax. Get out of the daily grind and into the fun. In Heidelberg, you can swim in five swimming pools. Whether it‘s a sports pool in the middle of the city, an outdoor pool with a wide-wave slide, or an indoor pool with a sauna – everyone will find their personal favorite pool here.