In Volketswil, striking church architecture, a varied recreational park and opportunities to get active come together. Bruder Klaus Church tells the story of the post-war period; at Griespark, natural areas sit alongside sports facilities and playgrounds. Exploring the area lets you combine cultural themes with walks, nature and sporting activities.
Churches and Culture in Volketswil
The Catholic Bruder Klaus Church is an important witness to social history and church architecture in the post-war period. It is considered the oldest and most original example of the Fastenopfer churches in the Canton of Zurich; four of these churches remain in the canton. Bruder Klaus is still used at its original site. Its triangular cross-section recalls the Holy Trinity, while its tent shape refers to Moses’ Tabernacle of Revelation in the Old Testament. Architecture and religious symbolism are closely connected here.
The Reformed church also combines a long history with a distinctive artistic design: it dates back to a 14th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Agatha. The building acquired its present appearance during the 1956/57 renovation. The well-known church windows by Max Hunziker were also added at that time. The «In der Au» community centre offers a different cultural focus. As a cultural venue and community centre, it hosts courses, exhibitions, events and meetings; it regularly provides space for culture through exhibitions and performances.
The municipal events calendar can help you plan activities during your stay. The Volketswiler Märt is a regular gathering place: held every Thursday in the town hall square at Zentralstrasse 21, it offers fresh and creative products. Every two years, the Fabelhafte Wichtelfest comes to Griespark. Its programme includes a medieval market, stilt walkers, music, magicians and a wide range of food. Swiss National Day is traditionally celebrated on the Hutzlen; specific programme details may vary from year to year.
Griespark, Forest and the Flugweg Trail
Opened in 2009, Griespark was expanded in 2014 to include the area around the town hall. As a central place for local recreation, it combines natural areas with sports facilities and playgrounds. Designated uses range from relaxing and strolling to physical activity. The park also has an inclusive street-workout facility: its equipment is accessible to and usable by wheelchair users, with the exception of the pull-up bars.
The «Waldweiher» biotope on Samichlausweg in Kindhausen offers another glimpse of the local natural environment. Trees were deliberately felled there to create more sunlit banks and water areas and to promote a greater diversity of species and habitats. The forests around Volketswil are also places to live and relax. People seeking recreation from the surrounding municipalities and further afield use them for sport, leisure and relaxation.
The Flugweg is an approximately eight-kilometre information and discovery trail that opened in 2025. It is suitable for walking and cycling and passes information points and activity stops focused on nature, aviation, innovation and transformation. These themes give the trail a different focus from a simple walk: along the way, visitors can explore various topics on foot or by bike.
Sport and Activity
Waldacher swimming pool is located in Kindhausen in a forest clearing. Large pools and sunbathing lawns define the facility. The swimming pool has six 50-metre lanes; there is also a 70-metre water slide and diving towers at heights of 1, 3 and 5 metres. The grounds also include a children’s playground, a beach volleyball court and three table tennis tables. From Effretikon or Schwerzenbach, take bus 720 to the «Bodenacher Kindhausen» stop to reach the pool.
For more sporting options, visit the Gries Cultural and Sports Centre. Its beach volleyball court measures 24 x 35 metres and is equipped with floodlights. The athletics facility includes a six-lane, 400-metre running track and areas for jumping and throwing events. Together with beach volleyball, the play facilities at Griespark and Waldacher swimming pool, it offers a range of ways to get active, from swimming and ball games to athletics.
When planning your trip, it is worth deciding what you would like to focus on: churches and culture can be combined with a visit to the market or an event; if you would rather spend more time outdoors, Griespark, Waldweiher and the Flugweg offer different options for enjoying nature and being active. If you are visiting for the Wichtelfest or a cultural event, check the latest dates.
Discover more destinations: Maur, Greifensee, Mönchaltorf, Uster, Schwerzenbach, Fällanden, Egg, Dübendorf.
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