Freiburg im Breisgau
Zähringen, 79108 Freiburg im Breisgau, Deutschland
Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. | Goats & Events
The Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. is a non-profit association in Freiburg that has established a special place for encounters, education, and animal experiences in Zähringer Park. The focus is on goats as living partners for educational, social, and cultural offerings. The association sees itself as an open meeting point for people from the neighborhood and beyond, connecting nature experiences, responsibility, and collaborative action. What began as an idea in 2014 became concrete step by step starting in 2022 when the association received a plot of land in Zähringer Park on lease and began development. Today, the Goat Meadow is not only a pasture for animals but a project that brings together neighborhood, schools, youth work, and culture. Particularly interesting for seekers are the open gates, experiential education with goats, the bookable seminar room, and the public events throughout the year. The association's website also shows how strongly the project is supported by volunteers, donations, and collaborations. This includes cooperation with InSoPro, Mooswaldschule, and the hospice association ALLES IST ANDERS. Thus, an idea has become a vibrant place where goats, people, and community meet in the northern part of Freiburg. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/))
Where is the Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. located and how did it come about?
The history of the Goat Meadow is closely linked to Freiburg-Zähringen and Zähringer Park. The association's page makes it clear that the basic idea originated in 2014, while the practical implementation followed many years later. In March 2022, the decisive call came from the property office: A plot of 4,400 square meters was to be leased to the association. Shortly thereafter, the first association meeting took place at the Goat Meadow, and during further planning, there was a struggle over usage, area scope, and the future of the site. An important point was that the area was also considered as a cemetery expansion area. According to the association's chronicle, the usage rights were temporarily revoked but later contractually secured for partial areas until 2037. This development shows that the Goat Meadow did not simply emerge as a recreational area but as a project requiring much coordination, perseverance, and civic engagement. The official association page states that the goal is to use the area in Zähringer Park for animal and art education, and the city of Freiburg confirmed in the official gazette in 2024 that the association has leased a plot of land in Zähringer Park to house goats and small animals. Thus, an idea has become a concrete place in the urban space of Freiburg. Particularly noteworthy is the mix of social commitment and local roots: The Goat Meadow does not want to be an isolated special project but a low-threshold meeting place for children, young people, families, and the neighborhood. This very mix gives the location its special character. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-bisher-geschah/))
A look into the chronicle shows how consistently the project has been built step by step. In September 2022, the first information event took place in Zähringer Park. At the end of 2023, the association used the Christmas market in Zähringen to collect donations and raise awareness for the project. In February 2024, the contract was officially signed, and by March 2024, the Goat Meadow won both first place and the audience award at the pitch of the Freiburg Citizen Foundation. In the summer of 2024, the first goats moved in, including Aunt Flocke, Frieda, Ferdinand, and Fridolin. Later that same year, the first Goat Meadow festival took place, which was very well attended according to the association's chronicle. In early 2025, a construction project was added, creating a materials room and a rainproof terrace on the meadow. In May 2025, the association reported on the second Goat Meadow festival with partners, guided tours, flea market stands, goat workshops, and face painting for children. In June 2025, Heidi also became part of the herd, and Kalli was expected to follow in September 2025. This chronicle is important for search engines as well as for visitors because it shows that the Goat Meadow is not just a concept but a developed, living project with a traceable history. So, anyone searching for Goat Meadow Zähringen Freiburg will find not just any event location but a concretely developed social and meeting space with a clear history and regional connection. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-bisher-geschah/))
When are the open gates of the Goat Meadow?
A particularly sought-after topic around the Goat Meadow is the open gates and the question of when one can actually visit the animals. According to the official offering page, interested individuals can come to the meadow on Fridays between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM starting from May 9, 2025, provided it is not during school holidays, public holidays, or bridge days, and that the weather permits. However, this offer does not apply on days during school holidays, public holidays, or bridge days and only takes place if the weather is suitable, meaning not during rain or storms. This is important for visitors because the Goat Meadow is intentionally not an arbitrarily open area but a place where animal welfare, safety, and reliable conditions are interconnected. The open format is free of charge, but donations are explicitly requested. This keeps access low-threshold while the association can simultaneously cover its ongoing costs. For local searches, terms like opening hours Goat Meadow, open gates Goat Meadow, or feeding goats Freiburg are particularly relevant because they directly relate to real visitor interest. The association also communicates current information through the WhatsApp channel Goat Meadow Freiburg and on Instagram. Anyone planning a visit should therefore pay attention not only to the time but also to holiday calendars and weather conditions. This very mix makes the character of the offering: The Goat Meadow is not a classic zoo and not an ordinary park, but a controlled yet open meeting space that deliberately places contact with animals in an educational and communal framework. For families, children's groups, and curious neighbors, this is an attractive, yet calm format with high proximity to the animals. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/angebote/offene-tore?utm_source=openai))
It is also important how to interact with the animals. The association points out that goats should not be fed with brought food or waste, as animal welfare is the top priority. Instead, there is association feed and fixed feeding times when interested individuals can care for the animals. This may sound trivial, but it is a central detail for visitor management, as misunderstandings about proper behavior can quickly arise, especially with open animal offerings. The Goat Meadow relies on clear rules to ensure that encounters do not come at the expense of the animals. Additionally, the statutes show that members with a Goat Meadow diploma can enter the meadow during opening hours; access is limited to a maximum of seven people at a time. This rule is especially important for responsible and calm encounters with the animals. The association thus conveys not only proximity but also knowledge: interpreting animal signals, respectful interaction, animal-friendly husbandry, nutrition, and recognizing poisonous plants are all included in the statutes. So, anyone searching for opening hours or feeding will not simply receive a date info but an insight into a well-thought-out visitor concept. The Goat Meadow combines spontaneous proximity with clear boundaries, and therein lies its quality. It is friendly but not arbitrary; open but not chaotic. This makes it a credible leisure and learning place in the northern part of Freiburg. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/ziegen-und-tierhaltung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Experiential education with goats for schools and kindergartens
A central search topic around the Goat Meadow is experiential education with goats. The official offering page describes that the Institute for Social Projects e.V. offers individual social-pedagogical programs with the association's goats for kindergartens and schools. It is not just about mere observation but about active experiencing: observing, marveling, caring, touching. Children and young people can gain new experiences, take on responsibility, show courage, and develop trust in their own abilities. Values such as solidarity and respect are also explicitly mentioned in this context. This is relevant for SEO and for real visitors alike because the term experiential education with goats very accurately describes what happens at this location. The association aims not only to present animals but also to enable learning processes that are emotional, social, and practical. This is particularly interesting for schools, kindergartens, and educational institutions because it combines classic educational goals with a direct connection to nature and animals. The cooperation with InSoPro is mentioned on the website, as well as the desire to create low-threshold offerings for groups with and without special support needs. This shows that the Goat Meadow is not intended as a pure event location but as a place where educational work is combined with real situations and sensory experiences. In a city like Freiburg, which strongly focuses on educational offerings, social innovation, and sustainability, this concept fits very well into the local context. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/angebote?utm_source=openai))
The association's page formulates the educational mission particularly clearly: Every child and every young person should have the right to the best possible intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. From this, the association derives offerings that go far beyond classic animal contact. Among other things, artistic, musical, sporting, mindfulness-promoting, community-building, culinary, gardening, and climate protection formats, as well as theater and grief management, are mentioned. This is a broad spectrum that shows that the Goat Meadow is intended as a learning and experiential space. Particularly exciting is the cooperation with Mooswaldschule: According to the association's description, an external class is to be established to gently reintroduce students with special support needs to regular school life. Additionally, there is collaboration with the hospice association ALLES IST ANDERS, which aims to enable children, young people, and young adults to meet with other mourners. This makes the Goat Meadow a place for sensitive, social, and often emotional learning processes. So, anyone searching for educational offerings in Freiburg will find here not an abstract concept but a very concrete framework with animals, land, partners, and clear objectives. This is equally interesting for parents, schools, and social providers because it offers a high degree of everyday relevance and a special atmosphere. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/kultur-padagogik-und-beratung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Events, calendar, and seminar room in Zähringer Park
In addition to the animal-assisted offerings, the Goat Meadow is also relevant as an event location. The official page describes the seminar room as a space that can be booked via a calendar and must be left in a well-maintained condition. At the same time, it is planned to also rent out the premises to help finance the animal costs. For the search intentions seminar room Goat Meadow or calendar Goat Meadow, this is an important point because there is a practical added value behind it: The place is intended not only for internal association work but also to be usable for meetings, projects, and events in the future. This fits well with the overall picture of the location, as the Goat Meadow aims not only to enable animal contact but also to create space for encounters, education, and community. Especially in winter, the seminar room is used for offerings according to the association's page. Thus, it is a central component of year-round operations and not just a side show. The spatial flexibility therefore complements the open meadow offering and makes the Goat Meadow significantly more versatile than the name initially suggests. Anyone looking for a location in Freiburg that connects nature, association, pedagogy, and community will find here an unusual mix. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/seminarraum-1/))
Public events are also an important part of the concept. The association writes that cultural events take place four times a year in Zähringer Park, and the proceeds from these events serve to finance the association. Concerts, flea markets, and action afternoons with children are mentioned. The chronicle supports this profile with concrete examples: In the summer of 2024, there was the first Goat Meadow festival, in December 2024 a Christmas gathering on the meadow, and in May 2025 the second legendary Goat Meadow festival with partners, music, cake, sausages, a beverage stand, children's face painting, goat workshops, flea market stands, and guided tours. These events show that the Goat Meadow is not just a quiet animal place but a small, very local cultural space. Also interesting is the role of volunteers: The association's work, the festivals, and the expansion of infrastructure are largely supported by voluntary engagement. This makes the events credible and approachable. At the same time, the cultural framework is closely linked to the educational mission, as the events are not merely entertainment but also financing, visibility, and social inclusion. For people searching for events in Zähringer Park or Goat Meadow festival, the Goat Meadow is therefore an important example of a neighborhood place that builds community beyond mere event hosting. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/offentliche-veranstaltungen-1/))
Goat husbandry, animal welfare, and membership
The topic of goat husbandry is not a decorative element for the Goat Meadow but the core of the entire project. The website emphasizes that animal welfare has the highest priority and that the stables and the area should be managed in an animal-friendly manner. In addition to goats, chickens may also be kept according to the association's page, and other animals are fundamentally conceivable. It is important that the animals are cared for by the association and that guests should only use the feed provided by the association. This clearly distinguishes the project from loosely operated petting concepts, where animals are often fed uncontrollably. The Goat Meadow formulates clear protection rules here and relies on trained members who take care of the animals. The goal is a respectful and controlled human-animal encounter, where animals are not objects of consumption but partners in the learning process. This attitude also shapes the association's public relations, which describes itself as tolerant, respectful, and open, while excluding extremist, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic positions. This makes it clear that animal welfare, husbandry culture, and social responsibility lie within the same conceptual framework. So, anyone searching for goat husbandry Freiburg or feeding goats Freiburg will find here a project with clear rules and a strong social orientation. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/ziegen-und-tierhaltung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Membership is also closely linked to the concept. The statutes describe that members have the opportunity to enter the meadow and experience close contact with the animals after obtaining a Goat Meadow diploma. Contents of this diploma include interpreting animal signs, appropriate behavior, respectful interaction, animal-friendly husbandry and nutrition, escape options, poisonous plants, and anatomy. Additionally, there is a regulated sponsorship that lasts for six months and costs 15 euros per month. This structure makes it clear that the association not only offers visits but also conveys responsibility. Members can thus learn how goat husbandry works in practice and simultaneously engage in the care and feeding of the animals. That active members can also use the space for private purposes twice a year shows the connection between community and personal responsibility. For the SEO perspective, such details are important because they meaningfully link search queries related to the association, membership, goat husbandry, and support. Practically, this means: The Goat Meadow is not a pure event space but a socially organized place with clear rules, learning steps, and participation opportunities. This is why the project also functions as a point of orientation for families, volunteers, educational professionals, and people from the neighborhood seeking a sustainable, respectful, and lively meeting place. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/unsere-satzung-1/))
What visitors, donors, and interested parties should know
For visitors, practical accessibility is important in addition to the offerings. The Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. is located in Freiburg im Breisgau, in the Zähringen district, and is communicated on the association's page through contact options such as email, WhatsApp channel, and Instagram. This is particularly relevant for people looking for current dates, weather-related changes, or information about open visits. On the Support Us page, the association also informs that donations are possible and that a donation receipt will be issued for monetary donations over 20 euros. Additionally, there is the option to become a supporting member. Especially since the association relies heavily on volunteer engagement, animal care, infrastructure, and educational offerings, support is a central theme. This is also relevant for local visibility: Search queries for donations Goat Meadow, support, or supporting member lead directly to an area that secures the project's sustainability. The association is therefore not only dependent on visitors but also on a network of members, donors, and partners who will sustain the place in the long term. This makes the Goat Meadow a true community project, not just a leisure idea. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/))
Finally, it is particularly exciting how strongly the project is anchored in Freiburg. The city of Freiburg named the Goat Meadow in 2024 in the official gazette as an example of how a leased plot in Zähringer Park is to be used for goats, small animals, animal and art educational projects, as well as meetings with schools, the hospice association, and InSoPro. This makes the Goat Meadow also perceived as socially valuable from a municipal perspective. The association's chronicle confirms this integration with numerous local partners, events, and public dates. For search engines and users, this is important because it builds trust: The Goat Meadow is not a vague label but a documented project with city reference, partners, and clear usage ideas. So, anyone searching for an unusual location in Freiburg that connects goats, education, culture, and volunteer work will get a convincing, lively picture here. This is exactly what makes Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. a strong search term with high local relevance. It stands for a form of neighborhood culture that is not loud but effective. It is learning-oriented, animal-friendly, and communal. And it shows how an idea from 2014 has become a real place where people and animals can meet each other in a respectful manner. ([freiburg.de](https://www.freiburg.de/pb/site/Freiburg/get/documents_E1020956764/freiburg/daten/news/amtsblatt/pdf/Amtsblatt_860_BF.pdf))
Sources:
Show moreShow less
Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. | Goats & Events
The Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. is a non-profit association in Freiburg that has established a special place for encounters, education, and animal experiences in Zähringer Park. The focus is on goats as living partners for educational, social, and cultural offerings. The association sees itself as an open meeting point for people from the neighborhood and beyond, connecting nature experiences, responsibility, and collaborative action. What began as an idea in 2014 became concrete step by step starting in 2022 when the association received a plot of land in Zähringer Park on lease and began development. Today, the Goat Meadow is not only a pasture for animals but a project that brings together neighborhood, schools, youth work, and culture. Particularly interesting for seekers are the open gates, experiential education with goats, the bookable seminar room, and the public events throughout the year. The association's website also shows how strongly the project is supported by volunteers, donations, and collaborations. This includes cooperation with InSoPro, Mooswaldschule, and the hospice association ALLES IST ANDERS. Thus, an idea has become a vibrant place where goats, people, and community meet in the northern part of Freiburg. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/))
Where is the Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. located and how did it come about?
The history of the Goat Meadow is closely linked to Freiburg-Zähringen and Zähringer Park. The association's page makes it clear that the basic idea originated in 2014, while the practical implementation followed many years later. In March 2022, the decisive call came from the property office: A plot of 4,400 square meters was to be leased to the association. Shortly thereafter, the first association meeting took place at the Goat Meadow, and during further planning, there was a struggle over usage, area scope, and the future of the site. An important point was that the area was also considered as a cemetery expansion area. According to the association's chronicle, the usage rights were temporarily revoked but later contractually secured for partial areas until 2037. This development shows that the Goat Meadow did not simply emerge as a recreational area but as a project requiring much coordination, perseverance, and civic engagement. The official association page states that the goal is to use the area in Zähringer Park for animal and art education, and the city of Freiburg confirmed in the official gazette in 2024 that the association has leased a plot of land in Zähringer Park to house goats and small animals. Thus, an idea has become a concrete place in the urban space of Freiburg. Particularly noteworthy is the mix of social commitment and local roots: The Goat Meadow does not want to be an isolated special project but a low-threshold meeting place for children, young people, families, and the neighborhood. This very mix gives the location its special character. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-bisher-geschah/))
A look into the chronicle shows how consistently the project has been built step by step. In September 2022, the first information event took place in Zähringer Park. At the end of 2023, the association used the Christmas market in Zähringen to collect donations and raise awareness for the project. In February 2024, the contract was officially signed, and by March 2024, the Goat Meadow won both first place and the audience award at the pitch of the Freiburg Citizen Foundation. In the summer of 2024, the first goats moved in, including Aunt Flocke, Frieda, Ferdinand, and Fridolin. Later that same year, the first Goat Meadow festival took place, which was very well attended according to the association's chronicle. In early 2025, a construction project was added, creating a materials room and a rainproof terrace on the meadow. In May 2025, the association reported on the second Goat Meadow festival with partners, guided tours, flea market stands, goat workshops, and face painting for children. In June 2025, Heidi also became part of the herd, and Kalli was expected to follow in September 2025. This chronicle is important for search engines as well as for visitors because it shows that the Goat Meadow is not just a concept but a developed, living project with a traceable history. So, anyone searching for Goat Meadow Zähringen Freiburg will find not just any event location but a concretely developed social and meeting space with a clear history and regional connection. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-bisher-geschah/))
When are the open gates of the Goat Meadow?
A particularly sought-after topic around the Goat Meadow is the open gates and the question of when one can actually visit the animals. According to the official offering page, interested individuals can come to the meadow on Fridays between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM starting from May 9, 2025, provided it is not during school holidays, public holidays, or bridge days, and that the weather permits. However, this offer does not apply on days during school holidays, public holidays, or bridge days and only takes place if the weather is suitable, meaning not during rain or storms. This is important for visitors because the Goat Meadow is intentionally not an arbitrarily open area but a place where animal welfare, safety, and reliable conditions are interconnected. The open format is free of charge, but donations are explicitly requested. This keeps access low-threshold while the association can simultaneously cover its ongoing costs. For local searches, terms like opening hours Goat Meadow, open gates Goat Meadow, or feeding goats Freiburg are particularly relevant because they directly relate to real visitor interest. The association also communicates current information through the WhatsApp channel Goat Meadow Freiburg and on Instagram. Anyone planning a visit should therefore pay attention not only to the time but also to holiday calendars and weather conditions. This very mix makes the character of the offering: The Goat Meadow is not a classic zoo and not an ordinary park, but a controlled yet open meeting space that deliberately places contact with animals in an educational and communal framework. For families, children's groups, and curious neighbors, this is an attractive, yet calm format with high proximity to the animals. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/angebote/offene-tore?utm_source=openai))
It is also important how to interact with the animals. The association points out that goats should not be fed with brought food or waste, as animal welfare is the top priority. Instead, there is association feed and fixed feeding times when interested individuals can care for the animals. This may sound trivial, but it is a central detail for visitor management, as misunderstandings about proper behavior can quickly arise, especially with open animal offerings. The Goat Meadow relies on clear rules to ensure that encounters do not come at the expense of the animals. Additionally, the statutes show that members with a Goat Meadow diploma can enter the meadow during opening hours; access is limited to a maximum of seven people at a time. This rule is especially important for responsible and calm encounters with the animals. The association thus conveys not only proximity but also knowledge: interpreting animal signals, respectful interaction, animal-friendly husbandry, nutrition, and recognizing poisonous plants are all included in the statutes. So, anyone searching for opening hours or feeding will not simply receive a date info but an insight into a well-thought-out visitor concept. The Goat Meadow combines spontaneous proximity with clear boundaries, and therein lies its quality. It is friendly but not arbitrary; open but not chaotic. This makes it a credible leisure and learning place in the northern part of Freiburg. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/ziegen-und-tierhaltung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Experiential education with goats for schools and kindergartens
A central search topic around the Goat Meadow is experiential education with goats. The official offering page describes that the Institute for Social Projects e.V. offers individual social-pedagogical programs with the association's goats for kindergartens and schools. It is not just about mere observation but about active experiencing: observing, marveling, caring, touching. Children and young people can gain new experiences, take on responsibility, show courage, and develop trust in their own abilities. Values such as solidarity and respect are also explicitly mentioned in this context. This is relevant for SEO and for real visitors alike because the term experiential education with goats very accurately describes what happens at this location. The association aims not only to present animals but also to enable learning processes that are emotional, social, and practical. This is particularly interesting for schools, kindergartens, and educational institutions because it combines classic educational goals with a direct connection to nature and animals. The cooperation with InSoPro is mentioned on the website, as well as the desire to create low-threshold offerings for groups with and without special support needs. This shows that the Goat Meadow is not intended as a pure event location but as a place where educational work is combined with real situations and sensory experiences. In a city like Freiburg, which strongly focuses on educational offerings, social innovation, and sustainability, this concept fits very well into the local context. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/angebote?utm_source=openai))
The association's page formulates the educational mission particularly clearly: Every child and every young person should have the right to the best possible intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. From this, the association derives offerings that go far beyond classic animal contact. Among other things, artistic, musical, sporting, mindfulness-promoting, community-building, culinary, gardening, and climate protection formats, as well as theater and grief management, are mentioned. This is a broad spectrum that shows that the Goat Meadow is intended as a learning and experiential space. Particularly exciting is the cooperation with Mooswaldschule: According to the association's description, an external class is to be established to gently reintroduce students with special support needs to regular school life. Additionally, there is collaboration with the hospice association ALLES IST ANDERS, which aims to enable children, young people, and young adults to meet with other mourners. This makes the Goat Meadow a place for sensitive, social, and often emotional learning processes. So, anyone searching for educational offerings in Freiburg will find here not an abstract concept but a very concrete framework with animals, land, partners, and clear objectives. This is equally interesting for parents, schools, and social providers because it offers a high degree of everyday relevance and a special atmosphere. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/kultur-padagogik-und-beratung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Events, calendar, and seminar room in Zähringer Park
In addition to the animal-assisted offerings, the Goat Meadow is also relevant as an event location. The official page describes the seminar room as a space that can be booked via a calendar and must be left in a well-maintained condition. At the same time, it is planned to also rent out the premises to help finance the animal costs. For the search intentions seminar room Goat Meadow or calendar Goat Meadow, this is an important point because there is a practical added value behind it: The place is intended not only for internal association work but also to be usable for meetings, projects, and events in the future. This fits well with the overall picture of the location, as the Goat Meadow aims not only to enable animal contact but also to create space for encounters, education, and community. Especially in winter, the seminar room is used for offerings according to the association's page. Thus, it is a central component of year-round operations and not just a side show. The spatial flexibility therefore complements the open meadow offering and makes the Goat Meadow significantly more versatile than the name initially suggests. Anyone looking for a location in Freiburg that connects nature, association, pedagogy, and community will find here an unusual mix. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/seminarraum-1/))
Public events are also an important part of the concept. The association writes that cultural events take place four times a year in Zähringer Park, and the proceeds from these events serve to finance the association. Concerts, flea markets, and action afternoons with children are mentioned. The chronicle supports this profile with concrete examples: In the summer of 2024, there was the first Goat Meadow festival, in December 2024 a Christmas gathering on the meadow, and in May 2025 the second legendary Goat Meadow festival with partners, music, cake, sausages, a beverage stand, children's face painting, goat workshops, flea market stands, and guided tours. These events show that the Goat Meadow is not just a quiet animal place but a small, very local cultural space. Also interesting is the role of volunteers: The association's work, the festivals, and the expansion of infrastructure are largely supported by voluntary engagement. This makes the events credible and approachable. At the same time, the cultural framework is closely linked to the educational mission, as the events are not merely entertainment but also financing, visibility, and social inclusion. For people searching for events in Zähringer Park or Goat Meadow festival, the Goat Meadow is therefore an important example of a neighborhood place that builds community beyond mere event hosting. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/offentliche-veranstaltungen-1/))
Goat husbandry, animal welfare, and membership
The topic of goat husbandry is not a decorative element for the Goat Meadow but the core of the entire project. The website emphasizes that animal welfare has the highest priority and that the stables and the area should be managed in an animal-friendly manner. In addition to goats, chickens may also be kept according to the association's page, and other animals are fundamentally conceivable. It is important that the animals are cared for by the association and that guests should only use the feed provided by the association. This clearly distinguishes the project from loosely operated petting concepts, where animals are often fed uncontrollably. The Goat Meadow formulates clear protection rules here and relies on trained members who take care of the animals. The goal is a respectful and controlled human-animal encounter, where animals are not objects of consumption but partners in the learning process. This attitude also shapes the association's public relations, which describes itself as tolerant, respectful, and open, while excluding extremist, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic positions. This makes it clear that animal welfare, husbandry culture, and social responsibility lie within the same conceptual framework. So, anyone searching for goat husbandry Freiburg or feeding goats Freiburg will find here a project with clear rules and a strong social orientation. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/ziegen-und-tierhaltung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Membership is also closely linked to the concept. The statutes describe that members have the opportunity to enter the meadow and experience close contact with the animals after obtaining a Goat Meadow diploma. Contents of this diploma include interpreting animal signs, appropriate behavior, respectful interaction, animal-friendly husbandry and nutrition, escape options, poisonous plants, and anatomy. Additionally, there is a regulated sponsorship that lasts for six months and costs 15 euros per month. This structure makes it clear that the association not only offers visits but also conveys responsibility. Members can thus learn how goat husbandry works in practice and simultaneously engage in the care and feeding of the animals. That active members can also use the space for private purposes twice a year shows the connection between community and personal responsibility. For the SEO perspective, such details are important because they meaningfully link search queries related to the association, membership, goat husbandry, and support. Practically, this means: The Goat Meadow is not a pure event space but a socially organized place with clear rules, learning steps, and participation opportunities. This is why the project also functions as a point of orientation for families, volunteers, educational professionals, and people from the neighborhood seeking a sustainable, respectful, and lively meeting place. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/unsere-satzung-1/))
What visitors, donors, and interested parties should know
For visitors, practical accessibility is important in addition to the offerings. The Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. is located in Freiburg im Breisgau, in the Zähringen district, and is communicated on the association's page through contact options such as email, WhatsApp channel, and Instagram. This is particularly relevant for people looking for current dates, weather-related changes, or information about open visits. On the Support Us page, the association also informs that donations are possible and that a donation receipt will be issued for monetary donations over 20 euros. Additionally, there is the option to become a supporting member. Especially since the association relies heavily on volunteer engagement, animal care, infrastructure, and educational offerings, support is a central theme. This is also relevant for local visibility: Search queries for donations Goat Meadow, support, or supporting member lead directly to an area that secures the project's sustainability. The association is therefore not only dependent on visitors but also on a network of members, donors, and partners who will sustain the place in the long term. This makes the Goat Meadow a true community project, not just a leisure idea. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/))
Finally, it is particularly exciting how strongly the project is anchored in Freiburg. The city of Freiburg named the Goat Meadow in 2024 in the official gazette as an example of how a leased plot in Zähringer Park is to be used for goats, small animals, animal and art educational projects, as well as meetings with schools, the hospice association, and InSoPro. This makes the Goat Meadow also perceived as socially valuable from a municipal perspective. The association's chronicle confirms this integration with numerous local partners, events, and public dates. For search engines and users, this is important because it builds trust: The Goat Meadow is not a vague label but a documented project with city reference, partners, and clear usage ideas. So, anyone searching for an unusual location in Freiburg that connects goats, education, culture, and volunteer work will get a convincing, lively picture here. This is exactly what makes Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. a strong search term with high local relevance. It stands for a form of neighborhood culture that is not loud but effective. It is learning-oriented, animal-friendly, and communal. And it shows how an idea from 2014 has become a real place where people and animals can meet each other in a respectful manner. ([freiburg.de](https://www.freiburg.de/pb/site/Freiburg/get/documents_E1020956764/freiburg/daten/news/amtsblatt/pdf/Amtsblatt_860_BF.pdf))
Sources:
Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. | Goats & Events
The Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. is a non-profit association in Freiburg that has established a special place for encounters, education, and animal experiences in Zähringer Park. The focus is on goats as living partners for educational, social, and cultural offerings. The association sees itself as an open meeting point for people from the neighborhood and beyond, connecting nature experiences, responsibility, and collaborative action. What began as an idea in 2014 became concrete step by step starting in 2022 when the association received a plot of land in Zähringer Park on lease and began development. Today, the Goat Meadow is not only a pasture for animals but a project that brings together neighborhood, schools, youth work, and culture. Particularly interesting for seekers are the open gates, experiential education with goats, the bookable seminar room, and the public events throughout the year. The association's website also shows how strongly the project is supported by volunteers, donations, and collaborations. This includes cooperation with InSoPro, Mooswaldschule, and the hospice association ALLES IST ANDERS. Thus, an idea has become a vibrant place where goats, people, and community meet in the northern part of Freiburg. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/))
Where is the Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. located and how did it come about?
The history of the Goat Meadow is closely linked to Freiburg-Zähringen and Zähringer Park. The association's page makes it clear that the basic idea originated in 2014, while the practical implementation followed many years later. In March 2022, the decisive call came from the property office: A plot of 4,400 square meters was to be leased to the association. Shortly thereafter, the first association meeting took place at the Goat Meadow, and during further planning, there was a struggle over usage, area scope, and the future of the site. An important point was that the area was also considered as a cemetery expansion area. According to the association's chronicle, the usage rights were temporarily revoked but later contractually secured for partial areas until 2037. This development shows that the Goat Meadow did not simply emerge as a recreational area but as a project requiring much coordination, perseverance, and civic engagement. The official association page states that the goal is to use the area in Zähringer Park for animal and art education, and the city of Freiburg confirmed in the official gazette in 2024 that the association has leased a plot of land in Zähringer Park to house goats and small animals. Thus, an idea has become a concrete place in the urban space of Freiburg. Particularly noteworthy is the mix of social commitment and local roots: The Goat Meadow does not want to be an isolated special project but a low-threshold meeting place for children, young people, families, and the neighborhood. This very mix gives the location its special character. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-bisher-geschah/))
A look into the chronicle shows how consistently the project has been built step by step. In September 2022, the first information event took place in Zähringer Park. At the end of 2023, the association used the Christmas market in Zähringen to collect donations and raise awareness for the project. In February 2024, the contract was officially signed, and by March 2024, the Goat Meadow won both first place and the audience award at the pitch of the Freiburg Citizen Foundation. In the summer of 2024, the first goats moved in, including Aunt Flocke, Frieda, Ferdinand, and Fridolin. Later that same year, the first Goat Meadow festival took place, which was very well attended according to the association's chronicle. In early 2025, a construction project was added, creating a materials room and a rainproof terrace on the meadow. In May 2025, the association reported on the second Goat Meadow festival with partners, guided tours, flea market stands, goat workshops, and face painting for children. In June 2025, Heidi also became part of the herd, and Kalli was expected to follow in September 2025. This chronicle is important for search engines as well as for visitors because it shows that the Goat Meadow is not just a concept but a developed, living project with a traceable history. So, anyone searching for Goat Meadow Zähringen Freiburg will find not just any event location but a concretely developed social and meeting space with a clear history and regional connection. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-bisher-geschah/))
When are the open gates of the Goat Meadow?
A particularly sought-after topic around the Goat Meadow is the open gates and the question of when one can actually visit the animals. According to the official offering page, interested individuals can come to the meadow on Fridays between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM starting from May 9, 2025, provided it is not during school holidays, public holidays, or bridge days, and that the weather permits. However, this offer does not apply on days during school holidays, public holidays, or bridge days and only takes place if the weather is suitable, meaning not during rain or storms. This is important for visitors because the Goat Meadow is intentionally not an arbitrarily open area but a place where animal welfare, safety, and reliable conditions are interconnected. The open format is free of charge, but donations are explicitly requested. This keeps access low-threshold while the association can simultaneously cover its ongoing costs. For local searches, terms like opening hours Goat Meadow, open gates Goat Meadow, or feeding goats Freiburg are particularly relevant because they directly relate to real visitor interest. The association also communicates current information through the WhatsApp channel Goat Meadow Freiburg and on Instagram. Anyone planning a visit should therefore pay attention not only to the time but also to holiday calendars and weather conditions. This very mix makes the character of the offering: The Goat Meadow is not a classic zoo and not an ordinary park, but a controlled yet open meeting space that deliberately places contact with animals in an educational and communal framework. For families, children's groups, and curious neighbors, this is an attractive, yet calm format with high proximity to the animals. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/angebote/offene-tore?utm_source=openai))
It is also important how to interact with the animals. The association points out that goats should not be fed with brought food or waste, as animal welfare is the top priority. Instead, there is association feed and fixed feeding times when interested individuals can care for the animals. This may sound trivial, but it is a central detail for visitor management, as misunderstandings about proper behavior can quickly arise, especially with open animal offerings. The Goat Meadow relies on clear rules to ensure that encounters do not come at the expense of the animals. Additionally, the statutes show that members with a Goat Meadow diploma can enter the meadow during opening hours; access is limited to a maximum of seven people at a time. This rule is especially important for responsible and calm encounters with the animals. The association thus conveys not only proximity but also knowledge: interpreting animal signals, respectful interaction, animal-friendly husbandry, nutrition, and recognizing poisonous plants are all included in the statutes. So, anyone searching for opening hours or feeding will not simply receive a date info but an insight into a well-thought-out visitor concept. The Goat Meadow combines spontaneous proximity with clear boundaries, and therein lies its quality. It is friendly but not arbitrary; open but not chaotic. This makes it a credible leisure and learning place in the northern part of Freiburg. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/ziegen-und-tierhaltung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Experiential education with goats for schools and kindergartens
A central search topic around the Goat Meadow is experiential education with goats. The official offering page describes that the Institute for Social Projects e.V. offers individual social-pedagogical programs with the association's goats for kindergartens and schools. It is not just about mere observation but about active experiencing: observing, marveling, caring, touching. Children and young people can gain new experiences, take on responsibility, show courage, and develop trust in their own abilities. Values such as solidarity and respect are also explicitly mentioned in this context. This is relevant for SEO and for real visitors alike because the term experiential education with goats very accurately describes what happens at this location. The association aims not only to present animals but also to enable learning processes that are emotional, social, and practical. This is particularly interesting for schools, kindergartens, and educational institutions because it combines classic educational goals with a direct connection to nature and animals. The cooperation with InSoPro is mentioned on the website, as well as the desire to create low-threshold offerings for groups with and without special support needs. This shows that the Goat Meadow is not intended as a pure event location but as a place where educational work is combined with real situations and sensory experiences. In a city like Freiburg, which strongly focuses on educational offerings, social innovation, and sustainability, this concept fits very well into the local context. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/angebote?utm_source=openai))
The association's page formulates the educational mission particularly clearly: Every child and every young person should have the right to the best possible intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development. From this, the association derives offerings that go far beyond classic animal contact. Among other things, artistic, musical, sporting, mindfulness-promoting, community-building, culinary, gardening, and climate protection formats, as well as theater and grief management, are mentioned. This is a broad spectrum that shows that the Goat Meadow is intended as a learning and experiential space. Particularly exciting is the cooperation with Mooswaldschule: According to the association's description, an external class is to be established to gently reintroduce students with special support needs to regular school life. Additionally, there is collaboration with the hospice association ALLES IST ANDERS, which aims to enable children, young people, and young adults to meet with other mourners. This makes the Goat Meadow a place for sensitive, social, and often emotional learning processes. So, anyone searching for educational offerings in Freiburg will find here not an abstract concept but a very concrete framework with animals, land, partners, and clear objectives. This is equally interesting for parents, schools, and social providers because it offers a high degree of everyday relevance and a special atmosphere. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/kultur-padagogik-und-beratung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Events, calendar, and seminar room in Zähringer Park
In addition to the animal-assisted offerings, the Goat Meadow is also relevant as an event location. The official page describes the seminar room as a space that can be booked via a calendar and must be left in a well-maintained condition. At the same time, it is planned to also rent out the premises to help finance the animal costs. For the search intentions seminar room Goat Meadow or calendar Goat Meadow, this is an important point because there is a practical added value behind it: The place is intended not only for internal association work but also to be usable for meetings, projects, and events in the future. This fits well with the overall picture of the location, as the Goat Meadow aims not only to enable animal contact but also to create space for encounters, education, and community. Especially in winter, the seminar room is used for offerings according to the association's page. Thus, it is a central component of year-round operations and not just a side show. The spatial flexibility therefore complements the open meadow offering and makes the Goat Meadow significantly more versatile than the name initially suggests. Anyone looking for a location in Freiburg that connects nature, association, pedagogy, and community will find here an unusual mix. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/seminarraum-1/))
Public events are also an important part of the concept. The association writes that cultural events take place four times a year in Zähringer Park, and the proceeds from these events serve to finance the association. Concerts, flea markets, and action afternoons with children are mentioned. The chronicle supports this profile with concrete examples: In the summer of 2024, there was the first Goat Meadow festival, in December 2024 a Christmas gathering on the meadow, and in May 2025 the second legendary Goat Meadow festival with partners, music, cake, sausages, a beverage stand, children's face painting, goat workshops, flea market stands, and guided tours. These events show that the Goat Meadow is not just a quiet animal place but a small, very local cultural space. Also interesting is the role of volunteers: The association's work, the festivals, and the expansion of infrastructure are largely supported by voluntary engagement. This makes the events credible and approachable. At the same time, the cultural framework is closely linked to the educational mission, as the events are not merely entertainment but also financing, visibility, and social inclusion. For people searching for events in Zähringer Park or Goat Meadow festival, the Goat Meadow is therefore an important example of a neighborhood place that builds community beyond mere event hosting. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/offentliche-veranstaltungen-1/))
Goat husbandry, animal welfare, and membership
The topic of goat husbandry is not a decorative element for the Goat Meadow but the core of the entire project. The website emphasizes that animal welfare has the highest priority and that the stables and the area should be managed in an animal-friendly manner. In addition to goats, chickens may also be kept according to the association's page, and other animals are fundamentally conceivable. It is important that the animals are cared for by the association and that guests should only use the feed provided by the association. This clearly distinguishes the project from loosely operated petting concepts, where animals are often fed uncontrollably. The Goat Meadow formulates clear protection rules here and relies on trained members who take care of the animals. The goal is a respectful and controlled human-animal encounter, where animals are not objects of consumption but partners in the learning process. This attitude also shapes the association's public relations, which describes itself as tolerant, respectful, and open, while excluding extremist, xenophobic, and anti-Semitic positions. This makes it clear that animal welfare, husbandry culture, and social responsibility lie within the same conceptual framework. So, anyone searching for goat husbandry Freiburg or feeding goats Freiburg will find here a project with clear rules and a strong social orientation. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/was-wir-wollen/ziegen-und-tierhaltung-1/?utm_source=openai))
Membership is also closely linked to the concept. The statutes describe that members have the opportunity to enter the meadow and experience close contact with the animals after obtaining a Goat Meadow diploma. Contents of this diploma include interpreting animal signs, appropriate behavior, respectful interaction, animal-friendly husbandry and nutrition, escape options, poisonous plants, and anatomy. Additionally, there is a regulated sponsorship that lasts for six months and costs 15 euros per month. This structure makes it clear that the association not only offers visits but also conveys responsibility. Members can thus learn how goat husbandry works in practice and simultaneously engage in the care and feeding of the animals. That active members can also use the space for private purposes twice a year shows the connection between community and personal responsibility. For the SEO perspective, such details are important because they meaningfully link search queries related to the association, membership, goat husbandry, and support. Practically, this means: The Goat Meadow is not a pure event space but a socially organized place with clear rules, learning steps, and participation opportunities. This is why the project also functions as a point of orientation for families, volunteers, educational professionals, and people from the neighborhood seeking a sustainable, respectful, and lively meeting place. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/unsere-satzung-1/))
What visitors, donors, and interested parties should know
For visitors, practical accessibility is important in addition to the offerings. The Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. is located in Freiburg im Breisgau, in the Zähringen district, and is communicated on the association's page through contact options such as email, WhatsApp channel, and Instagram. This is particularly relevant for people looking for current dates, weather-related changes, or information about open visits. On the Support Us page, the association also informs that donations are possible and that a donation receipt will be issued for monetary donations over 20 euros. Additionally, there is the option to become a supporting member. Especially since the association relies heavily on volunteer engagement, animal care, infrastructure, and educational offerings, support is a central theme. This is also relevant for local visibility: Search queries for donations Goat Meadow, support, or supporting member lead directly to an area that secures the project's sustainability. The association is therefore not only dependent on visitors but also on a network of members, donors, and partners who will sustain the place in the long term. This makes the Goat Meadow a true community project, not just a leisure idea. ([ziegenwiese.com](https://www.ziegenwiese.com/wer-wir-sind/))
Finally, it is particularly exciting how strongly the project is anchored in Freiburg. The city of Freiburg named the Goat Meadow in 2024 in the official gazette as an example of how a leased plot in Zähringer Park is to be used for goats, small animals, animal and art educational projects, as well as meetings with schools, the hospice association, and InSoPro. This makes the Goat Meadow also perceived as socially valuable from a municipal perspective. The association's chronicle confirms this integration with numerous local partners, events, and public dates. For search engines and users, this is important because it builds trust: The Goat Meadow is not a vague label but a documented project with city reference, partners, and clear usage ideas. So, anyone searching for an unusual location in Freiburg that connects goats, education, culture, and volunteer work will get a convincing, lively picture here. This is exactly what makes Goat Meadow Zähringen e.V. a strong search term with high local relevance. It stands for a form of neighborhood culture that is not loud but effective. It is learning-oriented, animal-friendly, and communal. And it shows how an idea from 2014 has become a real place where people and animals can meet each other in a respectful manner. ([freiburg.de](https://www.freiburg.de/pb/site/Freiburg/get/documents_E1020956764/freiburg/daten/news/amtsblatt/pdf/Amtsblatt_860_BF.pdf))
Sources:
Frequently Asked Questions
Reviews
No reviews found