Construction progresses at the city's latest recreational spot, the new town park
The city of Neuss, Germany, is set to undergo a significant transformation as the former gallop racetrack is being turned into a citizens' park. The project, spearheaded by Landesgartenschau Neuss 2026 GmbH, is a collaborative effort with the supporting association "Green Heart - Citizens' Park Neuss."
Balancing Urban Development and Ecological Preservation
The planned transformation involves a delicate balance between urban development and ecological preservation. Measures such as selective tree felling and habitat conservation will be employed to ensure minimal ecological disturbance while creating space for the new park infrastructure.
The design emphasizes green and communal spaces that blend seamlessly with the surroundings, aiming to improve urban resilience and livability. Local biodiversity will be protected and enhanced through habitat conservation efforts, with a focus on preserving existing valuable habitats and integrating new green structures.
Tree Felling and Habitat Conservation
Selective tree felling will be conducted to make way for the new park infrastructure. Large trees and valuable hedges will be preserved wherever possible during the construction process. Space for structures and new tree plantings will be created by clearing undergrowth and felling trees that cannot be preserved.
The number of trees that need to be felled will be determined after a joint site inspection, and adjustments to the planning may be made to preserve trees where possible. Experts from the nature conservation council will accompany the fine-tuning on site to ensure the ecological integrity of the project.
Accessibility and Year-round Activities
The citizens' park will be accessible from all sides and serve as a connection between the Rhine and the city center. Entrances to the park will be built barrier-free, despite a significant height difference. The recreational area invites to year-round activities and relaxation.
Norbert Grimbach, chairman of the nature conservation council, emphasizes the importance of preserving the ecologically valuable stock, while Annette Nothnagel, managing director of LAGA GmbH, assures that each tree and bush will be examined individually.
The nature conservation council has approved the measures for the construction of the citizens' park, with the goal of hosting the Landesgartenschau from April to October 2026 and transforming the former gallop racetrack into a sustainable urban green space for public use.
However, detailed or specific plans regarding the exact scope of tree felling or specific habitat conservation strategies appear to be limited or not publicly detailed in the available sources as of now. For more precise or updated details about the Neuss racetrack project, it is recommended to consult local Neuss municipal planning documents or contact local environmental authorities directly.
The transformation of the former gallop racetrack into a citizens' park will incorporate outdoor-living spaces, as part of the broader emphasis on green and communal areas. To achieve this, selective tree felling, aimed at making way for park infrastructure and new tree plantings, will be carried out, but large trees and valuable hedges will be preserved wherever possible.
The new park will cater to various lifestyle preferences, offering year-round activities and fostering communal bonding, making it an integral part of the city life and home-and-garden environment of Neuss.
