The completely modernized water play area in Günthersburgpark was ceremoniously reopened today with beaming faces and joyful children's laughter. After months of intensive construction work, the popular facility, which has been delighting young and old alike for over 40 years, now shines in new splendor. Created by Frankfurt's stone sculptor Reiner Uhl in 1983, the facility has undergone a comprehensive overhaul to meet the increasing challenges of climate change.
The importance of water features in Frankfurt cannot be overstated. In view of increasingly hot summers, they have become indispensable places for families looking for a refreshing dip. The city of Frankfurt operates a total of seven of these water play facilities, which not only provide recreation but also set an example for the family-friendliness of the city.
"With the free water play facilities, Frankfurt is making a unique offer to families with children," emphasized City Councillor Tina Zapf-Rodriguez at the inauguration. "They stand for a child-friendly city that can offer our youngest children a way to cool off on increasingly hot summer days. We want to preserve these water features for future generations of children and are therefore gradually bringing them all up to the latest technical standards."
However, the path to today's opening was not without its challenges. "The complete renovation, which began in spring 2023, was quite tricky," explained Karin Mosch, Deputy Head of the Parks Department. "When you're renovating a listed technical facility, there can always be surprises. And last but not least, the realization of green projects is always dependent on the weather." Despite these difficulties, there is great joy at the successful commissioning.
A key aspect of the modernization was to improve the water quality and operational safety. In previous years, the plant was frequently shut down temporarily because the hygienic water limits could not be met. The new technology now ensures smooth operation, which is also more environmentally friendly. Modern pumps ensure considerable energy savings, while water consumption and water losses have been reduced. Another plus point is the barrier-free access made possible by the installation of a ramp - a step towards more inclusive use for all visitors.
The renovation of the water feature in Günthersburgpark is part of a wider programme to modernize the water features in Frankfurt. Similar projects have already been successfully completed in recent years, including the facilities in Tannenwald (2018), Scheerwald (2019) and Schwanheim (2022). In total, the city has invested over 1.7 million euros in the renovation of these important leisure facilities - a clear sign of Frankfurt's commitment to creating attractive and safe leisure opportunities for its citizens in the future.
Due to the recent heavy rainfall, considerable amounts of soil were washed down the slope into the new water playground. In order to make the site usable this year, temporary sandbags and construction fences were installed at this point. These measures serve as short-term protection until a permanent solution can be installed. The problem has been exacerbated by the fact that the grass on the slope has not yet grown back sufficiently to stabilize the ground. The city therefore plans to install permanent protection in the near future to permanently prevent such challenges.
City Councillor Zapf-Rodriguez concluded her speech by thanking the families who have shown patience during the construction work and wished everyone a few more beautiful late summer days: "Enjoy the splashing fun that the new facility offers and let's work together to preserve what we have to offer our children."
The water play area in Günthersburgpark is now ready again to provide cooling and fun on hot days - a place that combines tradition and modernity in a wonderful way.
