Press releases

Elisengarten is a green space in the heart of Aachen’s city center that is heavily used. Thousands of residents spend time there throughout the year; it is a popular destination for tourists. The high level of use is evident in the wear and tear on the area. After the park was upgraded in May, additional measures have now been implemented.

Along Hartmannstraße, employees from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, assisted by landscape gardening apprentices, planted approximately 200 hedge sections. A plum-leaved hawthorn was chosen to complement the existing planting design; it had already been planted along Ursulinerstraße in May. In addition, a picket fence was installed along the path that runs parallel to Hartmannstraße in Elisengarten. “This protects the area beneath the trees, as we are preventing people from crossing through,” explains Michael Blankenheim, sub-division manager for Urban Greenery and Districts at Aachen’s municipal services. “These are supplementary measures resulting from the actual use of the green space.” This allows the area to regenerate before it is converted back into a usable park area next spring.

The green crews are supported by the tree maintenance team, which uses a suction excavator to dig the planting trench. “This method protects the tree roots,” explains Michael Blankenheim.

The hedge sections on both sides of the sidewalk on Hartmannstraße will be trimmed back to about one meter to ensure visibility in both directions. A wire mesh placed between the plants provides additional stability as they take root. “We’re using it as a growth aid so that the fine roots that have just formed aren’t torn out during a storm. This way, the plants can take root properly and then sprout next spring.”