The Schlosspark – Green paradise in the heart of the city
The Schlosspark on the brink of the city centre enjoys great popularity since its opening for the citizens in 1974. On about over 30 ha a miscellaneous botany is offered – over 200 different forest species are to find here. Underneath you can find botanical treasuries like the Handkerchief Tree, which bewitches the visitors with his flowerage.
Whether at eastern the daffodil meadow or the rhododendron and magnolia blossom in may, the park is always worth a visit and as well as a setting for wedding photos very popular.
Beyond that the Schlosspark has established itself to a venue. The traditional art market at Whitsun all around the water castle enthuse interested in arts from near and far with his combination of artistic offering and natural ambiance for over 30 years now.
The scene of the park will change during the next months. The “Parkpflegewerk” will be realized. In November 2008 the Schlosspark came from the Landschaftsverband into property of Herten. According to the decision of the city council the original character of the park in its baroque shape will be reconstructed.
Between 1687 and 1702 the Schlosspark was layed out as a strict baroque garden, but was changed into a Landschaftspark based on English ideal in 1814-1817 by the Düsseldorfer court gardener Maximilian Friedrich Weyhe.
A little bit hidden, but directly bordering the daffodil meadow lays the ruin of the orangery. An initiative is concerned with the reconstruction of the ruins.
Directly conterminous to the Schlosspark the Schlosswald is located. He is extended over an area of about 200 ha to the southern city limit of Herten. Especially impressing is a biotope at the city limit of Gelsenkirchen, which fascinates with its dead trees and partly untouched nature.
For those, who wish more information excursions within the Schlosspark and Schlosswald are offered. The German Society for Nature Conservation (NABU) informs about the animals of the park and offers continuously exploration tours. Also the coalition for environment and nature conservation (BUND) offers guided tours for kids and their parents. The Regionalverband Ruhr area (RVR), owner of the Schlosswald informs continuously about planting actions and about the life in the park in his “Waldschule”.
At least a literary tip:
Schlosspark of Herten – Ein kleines Stück vom Paradies
The authors Dr. Friedrich Duhme and Gregor Spohr are telling the story of the castle and park, point out the botanical preciousness and invite to a tour through this piece of paradise. The photographer Wolfgang Quickels captured the atmosphere of the park in all seasons. The book was released in 1997 by the bookshop Droste. (ISBN 3-89355-909-4)