REVIERPARKS - Future and Home
Mattlerbusch.
Vonderort.
Nienhausen.
Gysenberg.
Wischlingen.
These are the names of our 5 recreational parks, known as “Revierparks”. They are located in the cities of Duisburg, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, Herne, and Dortmund. The parks were created for the people of the Ruhr region about 50 years ago. At that time, the industrial landscape dominated the appearance of this region. The Revierparks continue to provide a balance by bringing nature into the Ruhr region and into the lives of its people.
Together, the 5 parks are larger than 285 soccer fields. Each park has its own theme. Thus, 5 parks - 5 themes. Each park has a different thematic focus, as we aim at making as many people as possible feel comfortable in the parks.
You can experience nature there and learn about plants and animals. You will also find plenty of space for exercise, sports, and adventure. With accessible pathways and areas, the parks invite everyone!
Environmental education and nature experience
Play, fun and sports
Do you love adventure, sports activities and entertainment? Welcome to the Revierparks! Which park will you chose?
Mattlerbusch - A day of vacation. Here in Duisburg, it’s all about games and activities for everyone!
Vonderort - Park in motion. Test your skills at various sports stations and in the latest trend sports at the Revierpark in Oberhausen!
Nienhausen - The water park. Playgrounds, sports fields, and lush green areas are all in connection with water and can be found at the Revierpark in Gelsenkirchen!
Gysenberg - Nature and Tivoli. Let yourself be enchanted by the many offerings and unique sites at the Revierpark in Herne!
Wischlingen - Experience the park, learn about nature. Be impressed by the elements of nature on land and water at the Revierpark in Dortmund!
Our Vision for the five Revierparks
Diversity for humans and nature
In all 5 Revierparks, nature and humans take center stage. Visit the green rooms and nature loops, where you can learn about the thriving flora and fauna. Take a hike on the educational trails. The Revierparks offer you experiences in and with nature.
As diverse as nature itself, so is the variety of offerings in the parks. Experience each park in a different way! Learn about plants in the green rooms. Observe the world of insects on the nature loops. Explore how plants adapt to the seasons on the nature trails.
Whether you play on an adventure playground or enjoy your favourite sports amidst nature, a visit to the Revierparks is always worthwhile!
Knowledge+
Background
Background
In order to provide a natural counterbalance to the industrialised urban areas of the Ruhr region, the five Revierparks were created between Duisburg and Dortmund in the 1970s. The aim was to enhance the quality of life in the "black pot" region, attract workforce through an attractive environment, and establish extensive green spaces with high recreational value as a contrast to the ongoing industrialisation.
The concept of the parks evolved from the historical idea of public gardens ("Volksgärten"), incorporating lush nature and a diverse range of leisure activities. Due to their proximity and easy accessibility, the parks have become central and important focal points in the lives of people in the Ruhr region, fostering a strong sense of identification.
The interest of people in new trend sports and recreational activities, taking into account increased mobility and technological advancements, as well as the understanding of the importance of sustainable nature conservation in the face of climate and ecological challenges, and an increased awareness of the integration of diverse social groups - regardless of age, culture, social status, or disabilities - were the driving forces behind the Revierparks 2020 project.
Revierparks 2020
Revierparks 2020
Describing this mammoth project in just a few words as "5 parks - 5 mottos" would be an understatement. The overarching goal of providing attractive recreational opportunities to as many people as possible paved the way for the distinctive design of each park. However, all parks share common higher ecological and social priorities: creating nature experiences, promoting biodiversity, improving quality of life for all, and offering a comprehensive range of environmental education programs.
During the construction and renovation of sports and playground facilities, as well as the development of water and leisure activities, the key focus was to create free offerings for everyone and remove existing barriers for people with disabilities.
The growing understanding of the importance of nature and the desire for sustainable green spaces that promote biodiversity made the revitalisation of unused areas and reforestation of existing green spaces another milestone of this project.
The overall regional concept of the Revierparks, with individual thematic focuses for each park, and the transformation process itself, make Revierparks 2020 a flagship project throughout Europe. The intentional engagement and active involvement of various interest groups from the start make it a global model for similar initiatives. On the path towards becoming the greenest industrial region in the world, five unique Revierparks have emerged, created with and for the people in the Ruhr metropolis and beyond.
Public and private funds
Public and private funds
For the ecological and inclusive enhancement of the five Revierparks, the RVR (Regionalverband Ruhr) utilised the funds from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the framework of the Green Infrastructure NRW funding program of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The total funding amount of 28 million euros (50% from the EU, 30% from the State of NRW, and 20% as RVR's own contribution) provided approximately 5.5 million euros for the transformation of each park.
The changes implemented with the investment amounts align with clearly defined objectives at the EU level. They promote the integration of disadvantaged social groups into employment, education, and community (ERDF Objective 11), while also focusing on the ecological revitalisation of urban and peri-urban areas (ERDF Objective 12) through the conversion of unused spaces and the creation of diverse habitats.
