Here, in the Dresdner Stadtteil Coschütz, lies a space transformed. This is the Südpark. But its story stretches back further than you might think.
The Südpark’s origins lie not in recreation but in industry. This area was once scarred by clay pits. These pits provided the raw materials for the brickworks. These brickworks fueled Dresden’s rapid growth. By 1930, however, the brickworks closed.
Fast forward to 1936. Even then, plans existed to develop this area. A promenade was built between Äußerem Plauenschen Friedhof and Liepschs Ruhe. Liepschs Ruhe became a bastion. It offered beautiful views of Dresden.
World War II halted these plans. From 1941 to 1991, the pits became dumping grounds. Construction debris, household waste, and ash filled the voids. The rubble from destroyed Dresden was deposited here after the war. About 200,000 cubic meters were dumped here.
After 1991, the site remained largely untouched. Nature began to reclaim the space. Wild vegetation grew. The planned Südpark remained a dream. Liepschs Ruhe lost its view. Trees obscured the panorama.
But the vision of the Südpark never completely faded. In 1990, the first resolution was passed. This protected the area from development. In 2014, political bodies renewed the call for a Südpark.
The plan was for a Landschaftspark. This is a park that blends natural elements. Woods, meadows, and fields would intertwine. Water areas would also be included. Active recreation and wildlife protection would coexist.
Construction finally began in 2019. The first step was creating a path. This path connected Passauer Straße with an existing north-south route. It partially follows the old Trümmerbahn route.
In July 2021, a memorial was erected. It honored the Trümmerbahn. This Trümmerbahn was used to transport debris after the war.
In August 2022, work started on a forest playground. The forest playground opened in May 2023. The Südpark continues to evolve. It balances recreation and nature. It transforms a wasteland into a vibrant park. The Südpark connects neighborhoods. It offers a space for all to enjoy.