Travelers strolling through the Flora-Westfalica-Park experience step by step why the once independent towns of Rheda and Wiedenbrück now belong together as a twin town. The park stretches for three kilometers like a green ribbon between the historic centers. Water accompanies the path, meadows open up the view, gardens add splashes of color and playgrounds bring the park to life. At both ends, old towns with half-timbered houses, ornate gables, restored facades, small stores, quaint pubs and beer gardens welcome visitors. There is no no man's land in between, but perhaps the most charming connection that such a merger can have: Greenery instead of asphalt, the sound of the river instead of through traffic.
The path follows the Ems as if it has long known the most beautiful route. From the rose garden to the Emssee lake, it leads through a park landscape that was created in 1988 for the State Garden Show and now covers around 29 hectares. Sometimes the water glistens next to colorful flowerbeds, sometimes shady groups of trees move closer to the path, then again the meadows widen out. If you are looking for relaxation, you don't have to plan a great escape here: in the middle of the city, there is plenty of space to take a deep breath, stroll and picnic.
Stately, playful and artistic
In Rheda, the Flora-Westfalica-Park initially shows its stately side. The palace garden with orangery garden arranges nature in clear axes, precisely stages flowerbeds and gives a hint of 1900 with spring flowers, perennials and historical forms. The garden was reconstructed on the basis of old plans. In the apothecary garden, medicinal plants talk about their effects, while right next door in the rose garden, old rose varieties play the leading role. The bronze sculpture "FLORA" among the blossoms and fragrances reminds us that this park was not named by chance.
Families will find an excursion destination with guaranteed exercise, especially in the central park area around the aqua tunnel and the "Spielerei". Children can splash around in the water play garden, conquer the climbing slide tower, meet goats in the petting meadow or test their accuracy at mini golf. Those with even more energy can switch to the beach volleyball court or the rope circus on the Mittelhegge. Youngsters also head for the "Altes Klärwerk" skate park, where skateboards, inline skates and BMX bikes roll down the slopes. Afterwards, a break at the kiosk or on the terrace at the lakeside café tastes all the better.
The Flora-Westfalica-Park also sets artistic accents: art here is not relegated to the museum, but is encountered by strollers along the way: for example at the concrete pavilion by Christian Odzuck or with Stephan Balkenhol's "Engelmann" at the Stadthalle. Together with other works, the park becomes an open cultural space in the open air.
