Envision yourself transported back to 1937. That was the year the Seckbacher Ried became one of Germany’s first nature reserves. This seven-hectare area is a precious piece of nature. It sits right on Frankfurt’s edge in Seckbach.
The Seckbacher Ried’s story goes back further. It is a relic from an old channel of the Main river. The nearby Berger Rucken formed its steep bank. Before its protected status, it was open pasture. Since 2008, it has been part of a larger protected zone. This includes nearby areas designated as a Fauna-Flora-Habitat area.
Its name comes from its location near Frankfurt’s Seckbach district. The Muehlbach stream feeds the Seckbacher Ried. This stream starts on the Lohrberg. It flows into the Ried after a kilometer. It provides essential moisture. Seckbach’s name means “seeping water”. This refers to the springs on the Lohrberg.
The Riedgraben stream flows through the Seckbacher Ried. On Frankfurt’s land, it is called Entengraben or Entenbach. It flows into the Ostpark pond near the Hallgartenschule. The Seckbacher Ried transitions into gardens to the north. To the south lies the industrial area.
One special feature is the silver willow forest. It grew naturally after the area became a reserve. Ancient pollard willows stand near Voltenseeweg. Reed beds and wet meadows offer habitats. These are for creatures like the crested newt, hermit beetle, and Vertigo moulinsiana snail.
The Seckbach conservation group collects trash each February. This cleans up litter tossed over fences. In summer, the Ried becomes dense. It becomes hard to see through.
Around 1940, half the area stopped being mowed. Nature began to reclaim the land. The Seckbacher Ried suffered bomb damage. This occurred during a night raid in May 1941. But police records say the damage was minor.
In 1983, Frankfurt intervened as the Seckbacher Ried dried out. They diverted the Muehlbach into it. Building the VGF depot significantly impacted the area.
From 1997 to 2008, dwarf Zebus grazed here in summer. They came from the Caucasus. These small cattle gently maintained the meadows. An observation platform let people view the herd. Buzzards, woodpeckers, and finches can also be spotted.
In 2004, Hesse applied to the EU to designate more of the area. This included 13 hectares. It became a Fauna-Flora-Habitat area in 2008.
The Seckbacher Ried is accessible by bus. The number 44 stops at Leonhardsgasse. Driving is possible. But it is not recommended.