The Oosterpark's lush greenery, with wild parakeets in the trees and herons stalking the large ponds, brings an almost tropical richness to this diverse neighborhood, despite being laid out in English style. Designed by Leonard Antonij Springer, it was established in 1891 as a pleasure park, and still retains an elegant, rambling feel. Tango sessions take place on alternate summer Sundays in the wrought-iron bandstand. Families will enjoy the playground (with a summer wading pool) on the park's north side.
On the south side, look for two monuments: one commemorates the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colonies in 1863; the other, De Schreeuw, is a metal profile shouting into the sky, celebrating free speech and, more specifically, the late filmmaker Theo van Gogh. Another (living) monument to Van Gogh is the Spreeksteen, a rock podium marking a "speakers" corner' established in 2005.
