Düsseldorf honors South Park for exceptional eco-friendly park operations
Düsseldorf's South Park, a 35-year-old gem created for the Federal Garden Show in 1987, continues to be a popular attraction for visitors. This expansive park, the city's largest, is divided into three distinct areas: the Volksgarten, "In den Gärten", and "Vor dem Deich".
Over the years, the South Park has undergone numerous transformations and renovations. The former rose garden on the garden axis was replaced with a dahlia garden in 2007, while the rock garden was comprehensively renewed 25 years after the BUGA. The children's playground "Vor dem Deich" was reopened in 2021 following extensive renovation, and the associated water playground has been preserved in the style of the 1980s as a historical witness, with technical updates.
The Workshop for Adapted Work (WfaA) has been maintaining the park areas "Vor dem Deich" and "In den Gärten" since 1988. This partnership serves as a public display of work for and with people with disabilities in Düsseldorf. The historic Volksgarden is managed by the garden department.
The city of Düsseldorf is committed to maintaining and developing the South Park as an attractive park. This commitment is evident in the park's recent renovations, such as the renewal of the water playground in the Volksgarten in 2018/2019 and the reopening of the children's playground "Vor dem Deich" in 2021.
Climate-adapted tree and shrub plantings will be added to the South Park, a move towards sustainable and environmentally friendly developments. This initiative aligns with Düsseldorf's involvement in urban planning projects, such as the Opera of the Future competition and the KöTower, which focus on creating lively, open public spaces and green high-rise office buildings.
The maintenance of the South Park is considered a matter of the heart for the WfaA team. Their dedication has earned the park the German Federal Garden Show Society's award for "outstanding sustainable park management". The South Park still attracts visitors, offering numerous leisure opportunities such as art sculptures, playgrounds, water surfaces, allotment gardens, a café, mini-golf course, farm, herb garden, and farm shop.
Despite the loss of approximately 100 trees during the storm "Ela" in 2014, the park has been successfully replanted with donations in 2015/2016. The South Park, a testament to Düsseldorf's commitment to sustainability and leisure, continues to be a cherished part of the city's landscape.
For detailed information about specific plans for South Park, local municipal or parks department resources would be the best source.
The South Park, undergoing transformations towards sustainable and environmentally friendly developments, will incorporate climate-adapted tree and shrub plantings. This initiative contributes to its overall lifestyle, making it a significant example of sustainable living in home-and-garden settings. The park's dedication to sustainability, evident in various renovations and replanting projects, has earned it the German Federal Garden Show Society's award for "outstanding sustainable park management".
