Rastatt - Lenneufer-East, Nachrodt

Characteristic for this section of the Lenne is the narrow valley space with the exciting alternation between steep, partly rocky slope edges and the flat bank spaces. Directly in the vicinity of the Rastatt, this change is very strikingly pronounced: a flat gravel bank provides a view of the vertical rocky edges above the Lenne.
These two landscape patterns were further developed for the design of the Lenneufer East and the surroundings of the Rastatt.
An additional guiding principle was gained from the historic use with the beer garden in the area of the current parking lot: Hedge-enclosed open space overlooked by trees and used as a restaurant garden.

Strengthening spatial edges
The Lennebogen is already visible to the south of the main road through a row of poplars and an elevation change bordered by a wall. With a continuation of the poplar row and the wall to the center of the village as well as with hedges that border the space north of the road, this arc is further strengthened.
To the north of the busy main road, a spatially effective 'buffer' of fruit trees will be provided, overlooking both the newly arranged parking spaces, the outdoor catering areas and the area of the current tenant gardens.
Finally, the new Lenneuferweg forms a further, flat edge towards the bank, which forms a zoning into a higher-lying bank park and a near-natural bank park. The tree population along the bank is loosened up to strengthen the experience of the river.

Building an ensemble
The Rastatt on the Lennebogen forms a spatial unit with the church, which becomes more perceptible with a new entrance situation crossing the street.
In this area, the spatially denser tree structure is broken up. A wide, open band, which leads to the Lenne and makes the view of the opposite rocks possible, forms the emphasis of the new organization.
The new, open place range at the Rastatt, which develops thereby, can be used from the restaurant in the summer as beer garden, in the transition to the Lenne however with the seat steps and some bench table combinations also all-season usable stay areas are created. Bicycle parking is also offered in this area.

Create access to the Lenne
A band of seating steps connects the new square on the Rastatt with the Lenne. Steps provide access to the riverbank level, with shallow, convenient access via paths between the embankments, as is the case today.
The new Lenne steps will be paved with large-format natural stone pavers, with wide joints of spontaneous vegetation on the sides, creating a soft transition to the adjacent embankments.

Forming a new Lenneuferpark
The new Lenneuferweg leads, sometimes close to the edge of the bank, sometimes along the southern edge and thus always forms new spaces and view relationships.
The embankments to the river are somewhat recessed, so that more space is given to the river and a zone close to the bank can develop. Gravel banks alternate with tall shrubbery and change with water levels and the seasons. Wooden decks, sometimes located in the riparian meadow, sometimes projecting over the edge of the embankment, allowing for an immediate experience of the river.

For the riverside park, areas of varying intensity will be provided with play, sports and generational amenities. To the south of the new Lenneuferweg, more intensively used areas are planned. A low ropes course is proposed for the outdoor area of the restaurant for smaller children. A small playing field and a place for a seating area or even a pavilion offer places for young people. A dirt track is used not only by young people but also by children travelling the Lenneroute as an exciting diversion. The meadow can be used as a tent site, sanitary facilities can be provided in the basement of the new ter-race at the Rastatt.

Only the Lenne access with seating steps is provided in the frequent high water area, all other fixtures are well above the annual high water level.

A rearrangement is proposed for the parking lot, which is covered with trees, to allow for easier access. Simple materials such as gravel driveway and gravel turf parking are proposed for the parking lot.
For the interim use of the current tenant gardens until the construction of the bridge, the proposed dirt track can already be produced with little effort.