Bricks, water and green spaces

A trip through green spaces and countryside? That can take a whole day, without ever leaving the city’s boundaries…

Münster’s parks, green spaces and recreation areas together add up to no less than 348 hectares – and a quarter of that is even made up of nature conservation areas. The fact that in several places, the green of the surrounding park-like Münsterland countryside extends right into the heart of the city makes a substantial contribution to the healthy city climate. And Münster undertakes considerable efforts to makes sure things stay that way – an achievement that is recognised and rewarded, for example through the European Energy Award with which it has been presented

With the Aasee Lake, Münster has a local recreation area located just a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.  As well as water sports enthusiasts, it also attracts joggers and speed walkers, and naturally also people simply out for a stroll, enjoying the peace and quiet and the view over the broad expanse of water. But it also attracts those with an interest in art, as an especially large number of works from past Skulptur Projekte events are to be found around the Aasee.

At the city end of the lake, flights of steps, terraces, restaurants and cafés offer almost Mediterranean flair. And towards the further end of the lake, idyllically located and making a perfect destination for a walk, are some of Münster’s major attractions: the family-friendly “Allwetterzoo Münster” – or All-Weather Zoo –, complete with Horse Museum, which becomes even more special when it’s once more “Nachts im Zoo” time, the special event that combines the opportunity to observe the animals at night with a mix of artistic performances. And right next door are the Natural History Museum with Planetarium, and also  the “Mühlenhof”, an open-air museum with historical farm and craftsmen’s buildings dating right back to the early 18th century. To get there, a less strenuous alternative to walking is by taking the “Solaaris”, a boat that plies the Aasee and is powered by electricity obtained from solar cells.

Equally close to the city centre is the Schlosspark, located behind the great baroque building that now forms part of Münster University. This vast area, with its ancient trees and welcoming café, also houses a veritable gem: the Botanical Garden of Münster University, founded in 1803. With more than 8,000 species of plants, it is attractive to visitors of all ages. Whether in tropical hothouses or a Westphalian cottage garden, or in Alpine, Mediterranean or Far Eastern landscapes, the Botanical Garden offers plant lovers the opportunity to experience the plant kingdom in all its wealth and glory. More than 50,000 visitors come and seek relaxation in this green oasis every year

Those who are not too tired can continue their walking or cycling tour of Münster’s green spaces under the lime trees of the “Promenade”. Created on the ring of fortifications that once protected the Old Town, it is the only complete Promenade ring that still exists anywhere in Germany. And the trees that line the Promenade also receive their share of culture. Every year, on two summer Saturdays, the Promenade becomes the venue for countless groups and bands. Known as the Green Space Entertainment Event (“Grünflächenunterhaltung”), this is always a highly attractive and much-loved Münster happening.

Another destination that is well worth a visit is the “Rieselfelder” in the northern part of the city. In summer, this protected breeding habitat is home to a variety of migratory birds, from storks to greylag geese, as well as aquatic animals such as muskrats and countless numbers of frogs, not forgetting impassioned nature photographers.

Some interesting facts & figures (perhaps worth following up further?)

• The tenth-biggest city in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Münster has the second-biggest urban area – so it is no surprise that it also has an unusually large amount of open and green space.
• In 2012, Münster was distinguished for its local climate protection activities with the European Energy Award in Gold.
• The Aasee Lake was created by damming up the local river Aa; together with its surrounding areas of green, it is the city’s biggest local recreation area, bordering directly on the old city fortifications. The purpose for creating the lake in the 1920s was to help regulate the flooding that the Aa was often subject to.
• Within the Münster city boundaries, there are over 8,700 hectares of landscape protection areas, 1,900 hectares of nature conservation sites and 1,200 hectares of bird sanctuaries, including the “Rieselfelder”, once a sewage farm and now an EU reserve for wading and water birds – and a paradise for ornithologists and nature lovers.
• The innermost core of “green” Münster is the “Promenade” – the only complete Promenade ring in the whole of Germany; it was already created in the 18th century as an avenue of lime trees on the site of the former city walls.

www.stadt-muenster.de/en/tourismus/places-of-interest/aasee.html
www.uni-muenster.de/BotanischerGarten/en
www.stadt-muenster.de/umwelt
www.stadt-muenster.de/umwelt/baeume/promenade.html
www.stadt-muenster.de/umwelt/natur-und-landschaft/schutzgebiete-naturdenkmale/naturschutzgebiete.html
www.biostation-muenster.org
www.stadt-muenster.de/farbe/aktionen-in-muenster/gruenflaechen-unterhaltung.html