Eppingen Garden Show 2022

Over the summer of 2022, the idyllic half-timbered town of Eppingen in the Kraichgau region hosted the Baden-Württemberg Garden Show. Initiated by the garden show, a central, contemporary park was created for citizens and visitors, which is characterized by a high diversity of design and use for all age groups. The sustainable concept has created lasting elements that provide positive impulses for the quality of life, the social environment, the infrastructure and the urban climate in Eppingen.



The approximately 5-hectare site already refers to the historical context through its course along the former town wall: the green structures of meadow areas and kitchen gardens that were once so typical of Eppingen and were located in front of the old town can be seen and experienced again through the design. By cleverly connecting the urban sprawl, a continuous green park strip was created along the old town, which repeatedly widens out to the renaturalized Elsenz riverbed. In addition to generous recreational spaces, this also created the long-awaited direct access to the water. By freeing the Elsenz and Hilsbach from their narrow, straightened corset and renaturalizing them, the lost connection between the streams and their floodplains has been restored and ecologically valuable retreats created. The redesigned open space is accentuated by taking historical references into account, while climate and sustainability requirements are integrated into the concept as a matter of course.



The permanent complex can be roughly divided into three areas: the so-called "Bachwegle" in the west, the centrally located Weiherpark and the area where the Hilsbach and Elsenz rivers meet in the east. These very differently designed sub-areas are connected barrier-free by the new old town promenade.

In the "Bachwegle" area, restored allotment garden structures along the old city wall bear witness to the former importance of supplying fruit and vegetables close to the city. Spacious park meadows extend to the Elsenz river with its now flat, green banks.

In Weiherpark, at the foot of the Wilhelminian-style railroad station building, the new city pond with its fountain is the centerpiece of the site. The large wooden terrace flanking the pond provides an appropriate stage for Eppingen's magnificent half-timbered panorama. The old town can now be reached via the flight of steps and a pedestrian bridge via a new pathway through the park.

A special detail was created at the site of the former mill canal, which diverted water from the Elsenz to operate the town mill. Around 290 meters of the old town promenade are lined with 14 individually shaped fountains made of Portuguese granite, reminiscent of this historical element. Sometimes splashing, sometimes calmly reflecting, each of the fountains displays a different water feature. The large water playground on the edge of the old town also provides cooling and action.

To the east of the Weiherpark, the confluence of the Hilsbach and Elsenz rivers has been restored to its original, natural atmosphere by widening the estuary. The striking, geometric platform forms a contrast to this. Seating steps and fords with stepping stones make it possible to experience and cross the course of the stream.

Green-blue infrastructure awardGerman Landscape Architecture Award 2023

Jury verdict:
On the occasion of the Baden-Württemberg State Garden Show 2022, a contemporary park was created along the former city wall of the half-timbered town of Eppingen, close to the city centre, which convincingly combines green and water areas and integrates them into the city. The five-hectare site transforms the sprawling green structures in front of the old town centre with floodplain areas and kitchen gardens into a continuous green ribbon of parkland.

The park harmoniously integrates the renaturalised Elsenz stream and the new city pond at the foot of the Wilhelminian-style railway station building and creates direct access to the water. In the jury's view, the Eppingen Garden Show is a very harmonious example of the combination of green and blue infrastructure with its diverse benefits for climate adaptation, recreation and biodiversity.

The newly designed recreational area consists of three landscaped areas: to the west the so-called ‘Bachwegle’ with the course of the Elsenz river, to the east the estuary of the Hilsbach and Elsenz rivers, and in between - as the centrepiece of the site - the centrally located Weiherpark. The previously straightened courses of the Elsenz and Hilsbach streams have been renaturalised and reconnected with their floodplains. At the confluence of the Hilsbach and Elsenz streams, the estuary was also widened and an ecologically valuable retreat created. Steps and fords with stepping stones allow people to experience the streams and offer a welcome way to cool off, especially in hot summers.

The 14 individually moulded granite fountains also help to combat the heat in summer. The fountains line almost 300 metres of the old town promenade and are reminiscent of the course of the former mill canal, which used to carry water from the Elsenz to the town mill. The large water playground on the edge of the old town brings the element of water to life for children and also invites them to cool off.

The jury was particularly impressed by the sustainable combination of green and blue infrastructure with natural and landscaped areas in the new park. The very successful concept of a park strip with green spaces, kitchen gardens, streams and ponds not only makes a positive contribution to the urban climate and biodiversity, but the new recreational spaces with a high quality of stay and lovingly designed details also improve the quality of life of the citizens. In the jury's view, the garden show in Eppingen is an example of how elements and structures of green-blue infrastructure can become important building blocks for the ecologically sustainable and future-proof development of a small medium-sized town.