Lippe floodplain experience - nature and recreation area

The "Lippe floodplain experience area" is an outstanding example of the combination of local recreation, nature conservation and culture. The renaturalized area near the city centre of Hamm is now an oasis of relaxation and a destination for walks and bike rides. It offers a wide range of leisure activities and is also an important project for the protection of nature and the environment.

For centuries, people used the Lippe and its floodplain intensively, for example for transportation, housing, energy production and agriculture. To this end, they carried out extensive interventions, such as straightening the river, fortifying the banks with stones or constructing barrages, dykes and drainage channels. These interventions significantly disrupted the ecosystem of the Lippe floodplain and ultimately led to the disappearance of numerous valuable habitats and the flora and fauna native to the area.

Critical habitats were created

In the "Lippe floodplain experience" project, a section of the river around five kilometers long was restored to its natural state. Vital habitats for flora and fauna were created on an area of around 195 hectares near the city center of Hamm by renaturing the Lippe and creating wet meadows, alluvial forests and small bodies of water. Some rare species have already returned.

A circular trail for all ages

A particular highlight of the project is the adventure trail, which guides visitors through the reconstructed river landscape and gives them an insight into the protected areas along the Lippe. The carefully planned route offers an intensive nature experience and leads visitors to viewpoints and rest areas where, with a bit of luck, they can observe great crested newts and kingfishers, among other things. The circular route is accessible to all age groups, whether on foot or by bike, and combines nature with culture by incorporating historical traces such as Roman relics, the feudal heritage of Buddenburg Castle and evidence of industrial history. This makes the experience of the landscape varied and exciting. It therefore also serves as an extracurricular place of learning for schools.

Balance between nature conservation and recreation

In addition to the adventure trail, the Auenpark offers a variety of leisure activities with a bouldering wall, outdoor fitness equipment and a disc golf course, while the Lippe beach invites you to relax. In certain areas such as the "Borgstätte", the "Schweinemersch" and the "Kentroper Bosmar", the focus is on nature conservation measures, which makes the "Lippe floodplain experience area" a good example of the balance between nature conservation and recreation.