The forest park with its open-air stage is a popular recreation area among the locals. It takes its name from the Dobele Latvian Lutheran parish sexton’s house which was located there until the World War I. There also used to be a school nearby, attended by Krišjānis Barons, known as ‘the Father of the Dainas’, in 1843. In the 1960’s, an open-air stage was built in the Bērze River bend. The forest park Ķestermežs with its open-air stage is a place where song festivals, concerts, theatre performances, and open-air balls are held in the summer season. A paved pedestrian and cycling path leads through Ķestermežs. A pedestrian bridge over the River Bērze has been reconstructed, and the parking lot on the left bank of the river near the open-air stage has been asphalted. A visit to Ķestermežs will be interesting also for children who will definitely appreciate the outdoor fitness equipment and treetop walkways.
