Bürgerpark Gablenz
The open space around the site of the former Kepler-Gymnasium on Hans-Ziegler-Straße was selected for the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 as an intervention area for the Mitte Ost citizens' platform to transform the wasteland into a citizens' park. With an area of around 4.2 hectares, the green space is one of the largest intervention areas.
New pavilion completed
The new pavilion in Bürgerpark Gablenz in the immediate vicinity of the streetball court has been completed. This fulfils another wish of the users of the Bürgerpark. The pavilion will be equipped with seating elements by spring. The costs for this amount to approx. 17,500 euros.
The barrier-free access from the Carl-von-Ossietzky-Straße footpath to Bürgerpark Gablenz is currently being realised. The costs for this amount to approx. 16,000 euros.
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Mayor Michael Stötzer officially opened Bürgerpark Gablenz on Sunday, 17 December 2023. The park was ceremoniously handed over to the citizens for use at an Advent celebration. Afterwards, the Free Evangelical Community of Chemnitz invited people to sing Christmas carols.
Diverse participants - numerous ideas
From 2019 to 2021, various public events and discussions were held with local stakeholders on the design of the park, in which the facilities and desired types of use were discussed. The aim was to create a park for all generations, with sports activities as well as recreational opportunities and pathways. The result was a youth activity area with a connection to the tram stop, two table tennis tables, a connecting network of paths, equipment such as benches, litter bins, bicycle racks, four fitness machines and a paved access road so that events can take place in the area. The fitness equipment was selected in a small workshop with children and young people together with the city's children and youth officer.
Park that moves
Funded by the City of Chemnitz, CAWG and funds from the Children and Youth Officer
The budget of 325,000 euros available to each intervention area was topped up with various additional funds. In 2021, the CAWG donated 5,000 euros for the first tree planting in the area and another 12,000 euros for the expansion of the youth activity area to install the table tennis tables. In addition, the children and youth representative was able to acquire a further 11,000 euros from the "Future package for exercise, culture and health" funding programme for the installation of four fitness machines.
Trees donated for the park
In spring 2023, the participants of the Weimar Citizens' Journey donated two apple trees in the park, which were supplemented with six more apple trees from the Capital of Culture budget. In addition, the numerous tree plantings are financed by tree replacement funds from the city. Due to the onset of winter, however, this can no longer be completed; the work will be finished in spring 2024. The trees that have already been delivered will be kept in frost-proof packaging so that the plants survive the winter undamaged.
Citizen participation
The first ideas were discussed with local residents back in 2019 when the park was selected as an intervention area for this part of the city in the "Green Gablenz" dialogue format. The Kepler Gymnasium was located on the site until 2011.
From 2019 to 2021, discussions were held with daycare centres, schools, daycare providers, district round tables, representatives of major landlords, street workers, sports groups and, last but not least, local residents to discuss suggestions and current or potential future problems in the area.
Further plantings in spring 2024
