The Gardens of the Altwasser

The Altwasser, whose name means "old water," occupies the site of a former dead arm of the Kreuzrhein. This area, long used as a dumping ground for construction debris and scrap metal, was completely rehabilitated by the municipality during the construction of the "Le Gabion" center, dedicated to sports, leisure, and festive events.

The renaturation of the site began with a major cleanup operation. Waste such as concrete slabs, metals, and certain plastics were removed. Preliminary studies confirmed the absence of soil pollution, allowing for its reuse. To develop the park, 54,000 m³ of soil was sorted, moved, and crushed. Much of it was reused on site, notably for the foundations of paths, while non-recyclable waste was handled by specialized waste disposal centers.

The result is a green and peaceful space where water, the origin of the site's name, has found its place again. The Gardens of the Altwasser offer a pleasant walk, dotted with various trees and plants. The park is designed to be both playful and educational: explanatory panels detail the different areas and plant species present. A play area is specially arranged for children, while benches and resting spots line the paths. A school orchard also allows visitors to discover ancient tree varieties.

Since 2013, the Gardens of the Altwasser have been part of the Club of Character Parks and Gardens of Alsace, recognizing their landscape value and commitment to biodiversity.