Park Taubenloch, Bad Tölz Redesign of a park and riparian area on the Isar River with minimally invasive work in the root zone of existing trees

Existing and further development: The design for the Taubenloch envisaged visually opening up the existing park and creating a direct link to the Isar flowing past by removing hedges and fences running parallel to the edge of the bank. In addition, the embankment was made accessible and equipped with seating in the form of boulders and seating walls. In order not to impair the valuable tree population by the work, substrate was sucked off, cover layers were installed by hand and screw anchors were used as foundations for walls.

bank embankment
The Isar draws in the area of the Taubenloch and the city center of Bad Tölz a long-drawn-out loop and has, over the years, formed a meanwhile consolidated impact bank. The movement and power of the water is made visible by "washing free" underlying layers of stone, using bands of colored stamped concrete as seating meanders and embedded, oversized river pebbles sloping the bank down to the water. These elements structure the bank and now allow people to sit on and above the water. By modeling the slope and paths along the edge of the bank, the water is now accessible to all. The embankment facing the Isar River is planted with a robust, walkable mix of herbs and grasses.

Striking reception
In the entrance area, near Säggasse, a particularly large erratic boulder welcomes visitors as an eye-catcher. Measuring 4 x 2 x 2 meters and weighing 35 tons, the stone block was previously found during another construction project in Bad Tölz. From the entrance a promenade leads along the bank under the formative tree existence into the rear park range.

Playground
For the children different small and larger ranges developed on the existing playground, for parents and responsible persons individual seat groups, which make also a common picnic possible. A planting of wild shrubs and bushes frames the play area, creating exciting play spaces and increasing biodiversity. Plants, wood and stones can be incorporated into imaginative play.

Materiality
The choice of materials and their processing establishes a clear link to the geology of the foothills of the Alps: gravel, sand and crushed stone - material shaped and modified by the Isar River. Individual walls of stamped concrete run along the embankment. Due to the treatment of the surfaces, they look like the Nagelfluh formations in the surrounding area. Natural stone boulders were placed in the embankment as oversized river pebbles. The paths of the park are designed as water-bound pavement.

Tree protection/details
In the area of the park promenade, the soil on the existing trees was first mechanically vacuumed to reduce injuries to the roots. The application of the surface courses was carried out in the root area of the trees by hand paving. In order to protect the root zone of the existing trees, minimally invasive screw anchors made of metal were used in the construction of the seat walls.