Leise-Park

The new park at Heinrich-Roller-Straße was opened on June1st, 2012. Incorporating parts of the old cemetery of St. Marien and St. Nikolai II, a new public greenspace of approx. 3.7 acres (1.5ha) was created. The new design aimed at a widely accepted solution that would bring long-lasting improvements to the neighborhood. Therefore an intensive participation initiative accompanied the planning process, offering the chance to develop sound design ideals and a robust implementation strategy together with residents, interested local institutions and the authority in charge. Aspects of the place that were widely viewed as worth preserving turned out to be traces of the former cemetery’s history and the partly wild, overgrown appearance as well as the existing flora and fauna in general. The creation of a tranquil retreat was another central wish expressed by residents. As a result, the new park layout integrates much of the current appearance and qualities of the area: the greater part of the former cemetery remain in their original state, the southern part of the park is left as a wilderness. Only some maintenance measures and tree cutting had to be carried out for safety reasons. A new narrow circle path allows handicapped visitors full access to the park. In the northern part, seating elements like benches and wooden platforms as well as playground features for climbing and balancing enrich this public space.