City by the river: neighbourhood park on the Pleißenbach
As part of "Stadt am Fluss", the district park on the Pleißenbach is the largest of the intervention areas of Chemnitz as European Capital of Culture 2025. The site of the former Altendorf goods station between Beyerstrasse and Rudolf-Krahl-Strasse was characterised by fallow land, succession and an ecologically disadvantaged, heavily built-up natural area. Following the withdrawal of the railway, there was an opportunity to create a new part of the city with open spaces for public use as well as additional areas for housing, community use and commerce, including flood protection.
Opening on World Children's Day
On 1 June, one of the largest newly created green spaces in Chemnitz was officially opened to the public: the district park at Pleißenbach, created on the site of the former Altendorf goods station - and the largest intervention area of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025.
Numerous Chemnitz residents were not deterred by the approaching rain shower and came to the opening, which was accompanied by a varied cultural programme. Mayor Michael Stötzer ceremoniously handed over the park and the new section of the Wüstenbrand-Küchwald premium cycle path to the public.
The opening ceremony was filled with a colourful cultural programme for children and adults. Among others, the Managing Director of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, Andrea Pier, gave an introduction to the micro-projects. The musical framework was provided by the micro-project "Klangbrücken" of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 with the musicians from "Tuya Klangwerk" Mathis Stendike and Petr Krupa as well as the dancer David Janik and the subsequent DJ set by DJ Wenzelyzer.
There were also guided tours through Pleißenpark on the topic of water restoration, the ADFC organised a bike course, all kinds of roller sports could be experienced on the new promenade and small water wheels invited visitors to play in the Pleißenbach stream.
The new neighbourhood park
The idea of redesigning the site of the Deutsche Bahn goods station in the Altendorf district, which had been disused for decades, dates back to 2014. Citizens were able to have a say in the design of the park during extensive participation processes. The design of the newly created children's playground was also preceded by lively child participation.
In addition to a new inclusive playground as the centrepiece of the park, this intervention area of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 offers a refurbished former loading promenade with wheelchair-friendly surfacing, two table tennis tables and various recreational and leisure areas. A new section of the Wüstenbrand-Küchwald premium cycle path has been integrated: between Rudolf-Krahl-Straße and Paul-Jäkel-Straße.
Construction costs and subsidies
The costs for the construction project amount to EUR 3.53 million for the watercourse renaturalisation, EUR 3.06 million for the open space, EUR 1.35 million for the bridge structure and EUR 0.76 million for the section of the premium cycle path. (These are projected construction costs, as the final invoice is still outstanding).
The entire project was subsidised by federal, state and municipal funds and represents an important contribution to sustainable urban development and ecological upgrading of the district.
The restoration of the watercourse was funded to 90 per cent, the section of the premium cycle path was also funded to 90 per cent and the outdoor facilities, viaduct and playground were funded to two thirds.
In addition to the continuation of the premium cycle path of around one kilometre in length, new park paths were laid out, creating new path connections. High-quality plantings with around 100 standard trees, 4,000 shrubs, 7,500 perennials and 25,000 square metres of different seed mixtures were planted. The 59 metre long viaduct spans the renaturalised and reopened section of the Pleißenbach at the Kochstraße stop and connects the premium cycle path with Limbacher Straße. The Pleißenbach has been transformed into a near-natural watercourse.
The structural realisation of the new park on the Pleißenbach combines a variety of design, ecological and infrastructural measures. The new play area is a particular attraction for families.
Before the first construction work began, the construction site was cleared and trees and shrubs worthy of preservation were maintained. In addition, compensatory and replacement planting was carried out, including areas for initial reforestation in Klaffenbach and Euba. Shrubs were also planted within the construction site as replacements.
The renaturalisation of the Pleißenbach stream was a key part of the overall project. The outdoor facilities, including pathways, green spaces, recreational areas and the premium cycle path section, were designed in line with the near-natural redesign of the watercourse. In the course of the construction work, a large number of materials were produced that had to be disposed of properly.
City council decides on the next construction phase of the Pleißenbach green corridor
On 18 June 2025, Chemnitz City Council approved the next construction phase of the overall Pleißenbachgrünzug project. Specifically, this involves construction phase 2.1, which includes the section of Am Stadtgut street in the direction of Rudolf-Krahl-Straße. This also includes the new construction of the bridge, which is a pedestrianised extension of the Am Stadtgut road.
The following new traffic areas will be created within the construction phase: the path connection with a new bridge in the extension of Am Stadtgut street for park visitors as well as care and emergency vehicles (no motorised individual traffic), a turning area in Am Stadtgut street for refuse vehicles and local traffic as well as a private car park for the Am Stadtgut community centre including the replacement construction of a garage. The reason for this is that an exchange of land was necessary there in order to enable a good ecological condition and course of the Pleißenbach stream.
The costs for this construction phase total around 2.5 million euros, of which 569,000 euros are for the replacement of the bridge. Around 1.79 million euros have been earmarked as funding. The overall "Pleißenbach green corridor" project is divided into nine construction phases, six of which have already been completed.
Bridge at Pleißenbach district park opened
The newly constructed viaduct in the new district park on Pleißenbach has been open for use since December 2024. The illuminated bridge connects the neighbourhoods of Kaßberg and Altendorf between Limbacher Straße and Gutsweg and is open to pedestrians and cyclists. In the event of snowfall, the bridge - as in all municipal parks - is only accessible at your own risk. The cost of the viaduct is around 1.5 million euros.
The temporary scaffolding bridge on Erzbergerstraße is already being dismantled. The city of Chemnitz had rented this bridge for the construction period of the new viaduct in order to ensure a pedestrian connection between the two districts.
Meanwhile, work continues in the neighbourhood park at Pleißenbach. The construction site in this construction phase stretches from Rudolf-Krahl-Straße to Paul-Jäkel-Straße and between Limbacher Straße and Gutsweg. In addition to the continuation of the premium cycle path, which is around one kilometre long, new park paths are being created. High-quality planting enhances the site: a total of around 100 standard trees, 4,000 shrubs, 7,500 perennials and 25,000 square metres of seeding with various seed mixtures. The result is a variety of attractive places to spend time. A playground, which reflects suggestions from public participation, will also be integrated into the park.
Valley bridge in the Pleißenbach green corridor raised
The viaduct in the Pleißenbach green corridor was lifted into place on 13 September 2024. The approx. 65-tonne steel superstructure was lifted into the prepared abutments using a mobile crane weighing approx. 650 tonnes. To do this, the bridge was rotated once completely free-hanging.
The bridge has a total length of 59 metres and is 3.50 metres wide between the railings. The bridge runs in a straight line from north to south. The southern connection bends westwards after the abutment. In the north, it is connected to a crossing parkway. The bridge rises by 1.60 metres from south to north.
New river course west of Rudolf-Krahl-Straße
The renaturalisation of the Pleißenbach stream in the first construction phase - including the design of the adjacent open spaces up to the newly built premium cycle path west of Rudolf-Krahl-Straße - has been completed since early summer 2023. The once straightened and partially obstructed watercourse was given a new look; the ecological functions of the stream were revived by modelling a near-natural water profile. Nesting boxes for grey wagtails and dippers were also installed and site-appropriate seed mixtures were planted on the ground.
Biotope created
A replacement measure for species protection, which was necessary for the clearing and felling work on the site of the former goods station, has also been completed. In spring 2023, around 800 large shrubs such as cornelian cherry, blackthorn, dog rose and other native species were planted on an area of around 1.3 hectares on the Kalkstraße industrial estate. The area is currently fenced off to protect it from game browsing. In the long term, the area is to be extensively managed to ensure the colonisation of the garden warbler in particular - a small native songbird species.
Overview: The individual construction phases
In the city council's construction resolution of July 2022, the implementation of the following sections was initially set in motion:
- Section west of Rudolf-Krahl-Straße (industrial wasteland):As part of the watercourse planning, the Pleißenbach is to be widened in the first construction section at the level of the wasteland and an old pond, side arms are to be formed and the millrace arriving to the north is to be opened up. The tree population in the western area forms the basic structure of the new facility alongside the newly created stream and will be largely preserved. Natural stone blocks will provide seating near the future cycle path. The central open meadow area on both sides of the Mühlgraben will be further developed and strengthened as a fresh location with tall herbaceous vegetation. On Rudolf-Krahl-Straße, the trees outside the watercourse construction area will be preserved and a tall herbaceous meadow will also be established at the foot of the embankment to the Pleißenbach stream.
- Section from Rudolf-Krahl-Straße to the former Erzberger Straße:The new central green corridor covers an area of almost 2.4 hectares and, in addition to the design centrepiece - the promenade with playground and recreational areas - will in future include key landscape elements as well as path connections with rest areas to open up the park and connect the neighbouring districts. In addition, the new Wüstenbrand - Küchwald cycle path will be integrated into the new Pleißenbachgrünzug park. The character of the former railway line is to be preserved. Extensively used, meadow-like and self-developing areas are to be further developed using native, site-appropriate seeds and plants. Historic railway relics (buffer stops, set rails, kilometre stones, masts, etc.) will be preserved along the entire former railway line, restored where necessary and integrated into the green corridor.
- Cycle path:With the acquisition of the former Küchwald-Wüstenbrand railway line in 2018, the city of Chemnitz is taking the opportunity to connect the western suburban areas and Chemnitz city centre via a premium cycle path around 13.5 km long. Today's decision involves a 1.04 km long section, with a section of the cycle path already under construction to the west on Rudolf-Krahl-Straße.
- Compensation area: The area of around 1.3 hectares with commercial surroundings is located around 1.5 kilometres from the planning area in Rottluff. The development of the compensation area results from the development plan as a measure for compensation (in the sense of 1a para. 3 BauGB). Early species protection measures for the garden warbler species are to be implemented here. This area is to be upgraded by planting approx. 500 metres of new large shrubs and extensive maintenance of the remaining area.
Urban development framework plan
An urban development framework plan was adopted in 2016, which envisaged the creation of a public park with stream renaturalisation and cycle paths as a development goal and which is now being implemented step by step.
In 2022, the approval procedures for the partial measures/construction phases are still to be carried out, the implementation plans drawn up and funding applied for. All stakeholders will continue to be closely involved in the planning process. The citizens' platform and the public will be involved in order to adequately represent all interests as far as possible.
Review
Info walk for interested parties
There is great public interest in the development of the site, and these plans were presented on site on 6 October 2022: More than 150 members of the public took part in a walk around the site, which has now been overtaken by nature and man.
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Previous participation formats
08.11.2014: Citizens' dialogue
- Short exploratory walk with planners
- Presentation of the analysis and first concept phase
04.12.2014 Citizens' forum Mitte-West
- Presentation of the analysis and first concept phase
16/05/2015 Citizens' forum centre-west
- Together with the Parks Department
02.07.2015 Citizens' workshop & discussion evening
- Preparatory survey as a flyer
24.11.2015 Citizens' forum centre-west
- "Citizens' forum special" - Altendorf railway station
21/08/2021 Citizens' forum centre-west
- Presentation of the plans and the development plan,
- Suggestions from the public requested
Until 2019, the overall measure was funded under the "Future Urban Green" urban development programme. From 2020, the district park at Pleißenbach has been transferred to the successor programme "Lebendige Zentren" (Vibrant Centres), in which the federal government and the Free State of Saxony support measures to improve the urban green infrastructure in Chemnitz. They are used for urban development measures that serve to create, renovate or improve and connect publicly accessible green and open spaces as part of the structural preservation and development of neighbourhoods as healthy places worth living in.