01 May 2019
World Urban Parks - World Parks Week interview
We're running a series of articles throughout the World Urban Parks World Parks week (April 27 to May 4 - 2019) to celebrate a Green Flag Award park from many of the countries that we operate in.
Green Flag Award park name
Stadtpark - Botanischer Garten Gütersloh
Interviewee
Daniela Toman, Gütersloh Department of Green Spaces
How many years have you held the Green Flag Award?
6 years!
Let’s start by getting to know your park or green space with a brief introduction
Just a 10-minute walk from the city centre is "Güterslohs Green Living Room": The city park with its Botanical Garden. The extensive route, the old trees, the proximity to the water by the river and pond make the Gütersloh Municipal Park a real gem – and has been for more than 100 years. And best of all, you can discover it for free and 365 days a year!
The people who use our spaces are what brings them to life. Tell us a little bit about your regular visitors and any particular groups or organisations you work with.
About 170,000 visitors come every year to our park. The regular visitors are the Gütersloher citizens. But guests also come to visit from the wider area and also from abroad. The city park and Botanical Garden has two clubs that support it. One is the Förderkreis Stadtpark-Botanischer Garten Gütersloh e.V.. The other is the Förderverein Apothekergarten Gütersloh e.V.. There are guided tours for groups and individuals all year round.
Parks and green spaces are constantly evolving. Tell us about any developments or changes that you are working on over the coming year?
Our park has been a garden monument since 2000. We cannot change much in terms of structure. That means we're only going to make additions in small parts.
We’re asking everyone to share their passion for the parks and green spaces during World Parks Week. What key message would you like to give about the importance of parks and green spaces?
GREEN is a perfect habitat for fauna and flora.
GREEN is an important contribution to the conservation of biodiversity.
GREEN brings pleasant coolness and reduces heat and binds dust.
GREEN improves air quality.
GREEN ensures an even seeping of rainwater and stores water.
GREEN has a positive effect on humans (health, mood, stress, concentration, social contacts, self-discovery).
And finally, what does having a Green Flag Award mean to you as a professional and also to the community that use your park or green space?
The Green Flag Award is a great appreciation for our work in the park. Visitors admire the diversity in our park and are proud of the award.
Further information:
You can view Botanischer Garten Gütersloh's Green Flag Award profile page here and click through to the official parks page to find out more.
