Gartenschau offers flowers, displays, family fun

by Petra Lessoing
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Visitors of the Gartenschau Kaiserslautern can admire dinosaurs and flower beds throughout the park until Oct. 31. Flowers will change according to the season. — Courtesy photo

April 1, one of the most favorite locations for day trips, the Gartenschau Kaiserslautern, also known as dinosaur park, reopened for the new season. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day, through Oct. 31. This year’s motto is “Rough Edges.” Flowerbeds are arranged in different geometric shapes: triangular, pentagonal or polygonal.

The Gartenschau features various gardens to include a rose garden, cactus garden, rhododendron garden, bible garden, historical farmers’ garden and dance garden on an area of 22 hectares.

Every month, new flower exhibitions will be displayed in the flower hall.

Besides flowers, visitors can enjoy exhibitions, activities, musical entertainment and special performances.

“Last year we had a new record attendance with more than 535,000 visitors,” said David Lyle, chief of the integrated support aid iKL, which is in charge of Gartenschau Kaiserslautern. “The Gartenschau, the city of Kaiserslautern and our sponsors, all act in concert to turn this park into such a successful project,”said Lyle.

One of the project’s goals is to give disabled people a job and to integrate them into society. More than 50 employees with disabilities will work for the park this season.

The Lego exhibition presents the Reichstag (German parliament building) in Berlin. Numerous renowned buildings made of brick stones can be seen in the exhibition through Oct. 31. — Courtesy photo

For the last four years, the Gartenschau has been known for its Lego exhibition with many renowned buildings such as the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower.

“We are happy to show more new buildings this year. More than 150 brick stone fans and building masters from throughout Germany and Luxembourg worked more than 1,200 hours for three weeks to come up with this attractive display,” said Lyle.

New buildings are Kaiserslautern’s concert hall, the Fruchthalle, placed next to the city hall, and Neu-schwan-stein Castle.

Other park attractions are the dinosaur models and several playgrounds with sliding tower, pirate ship, play equipment, a newly renovated skating rink, soccer field, beach volleyball field and the adventure miniature golf court in Neumuehlepark.

Kaiserslautern Garten-schau also will present numerous musical performances, children’s programs, family fests, markets and guided tours.

“A new event out of the more than 50 big events, will be the Fest of Cultures with international musicians, walking acts, street theater and food specialties,” said Lyle. “I also recommend our summer night fest with good music and a great light show July 29.”

Like in recent years, the willow church on Kaiserberg hill will offer worship services at 11 a.m. Sundays as well as wedding and christening ceremonies. Also on Kaiserberg hill is an area to relax with a barefoot path consisting of 10 stations inviting visitors for meditation.

Daily tickets cost €7 for adults and €3 for children. The family ticket costs €17. Children up to 6-years-old are free.

Season tickets for families cost  €45, and €35 for singles.

Customers of the Kaiserslautern City Works, SWK, get reduced prices. The Gartenschau ticket is also valid for the Japanese Garden, which is down the road on Lauterstrasse.

For more information, visit www.gartenschau-kl.de, facebook.de/gartenschau.kl, or call 0631-71007-00. Programs in English with all Gartenschau events are available at the entrance to the Gartenschau, the Kaisers-lautern Tourist Information office and the “Window to Rheinland-Pfalz” counter in the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center.