The labyrinth is one of the greenest places on our school grounds. Some students use it to play during the breaks, others just make themselves comfortable here on the stones, which provide a good which offer a good place to sit. Classes can also be held here wonderfully outside. But does the labyrinth also offer other advantages? For example, in terms of climate change?
Keywords: Nature based solutions
Needs: –
The labyrinth is one of the greenest places on our school grounds. Some students use it to play during the breaks, others just make themselves comfortable here on the stones, which provide a good which offer a good place to sit. Classes can also be held here wonderfully outside. But does the labyrinth also offer other advantages? For example, in terms of climate change?
Nature based solutions
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Rough draft of the labyrinth (June 2022)
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“In the beginning, we took all the plants that were donated, since no money was given to the project. Thus, we were provided with willow cuttings, yucca palms, currant bushes, lungwort, crocuses, mini daffodils, gladioli and Jerusalem artichokes, among others. A bank donation made it possible to plant hornbeams, and Bayer donated spireas. All seeds for bee-friendly flowers (e.g. phacelia) unfortunately had no chance to grow, because small flowers are usually trampled down at the site. (Even the large freshly set plants today are simply uprooted and removed if they “get in the way.”) As the Friends’ association took up the cause, more and more looked for evergreen plants that could withstand great play pressure. Then a landscape architect came into the picture, who made sure that the city’s guidelines for plants on playgrounds were followed, i.e., the criteria of harmlessness (non-toxic and without thorns) were significant.” (Ms Surman)
“The willows and other hedge plants need annual topiary. We have tried this spring to put erica and memorial meadow as flowering plants. Regular watering during dry spells would be important here. (This is difficult because the school grounds are inaccessible during the vacations and weekends). Overall, consideration for the plants would be would be desirable. However, this proves to be unrealistic. For too few students know that the labyrinth was a student idea and that plants need consideration. (However, for the maintenance spontaneously new interested people have been found. I am very grateful for that.)” (Mrs. Surmann)
Soil also plays an important role in the issue of climate protection. Among other things, green areas such as meadows have the great advantage that they absorb precipitation water and store it as soil water. This then evaporates and cools the climate in the process. Especially here in the labyrinth a grass-covered ground would be appropriate? But what does it look like in practice?
“We first cut the grass to build the facility. The paths were stabilized with gravel and volcanic rock. Everything was done in consultation with the lower nature conservation authority, which gave us permission to use the former marsh orchid meadow (with a lot of debris from school construction!) for the project. Whether grass would withstand the pressure from wealking on it and the shading, I doubt it. You would have to lay sod and close the site for some time. (This is not considered possible by the school building administrators). One idea is also to use part of the path as a barefoot adventure trail with different surfaces. Grass could also play a role in this.” (Ms. Surmann)
Even if the labyrinth has already many sustainable aspects, in terms of climate change it still has room for improvement. But as can be seen already with the soil, the theory is easier than the practice. Are nevertheless a few changes possible or even already planned?
After four years of dormant growth due to the construction site at the Otto-Hahn schools, the first order of business is to get the site ready to use it. To my knowledge, a cornelian cherry is already in the Labyrinth, violets have also survived here and there. We would be happy to plan together how gaps are to be filled, and try what survives. The idea with the willows is that with the rods, that grow after head pruning this year can be used for wickerwork. Before the introduction of plastic bags, wicker baskets were the environmentally friendly transportation material. The first year we even had a living woven willow fence (from the plants that have now shot up 3 m high). (Mrs. Surmann)
In conclusion, it can be said that the labyrinth is a lot more interesting and requires more care than it may seem at first. If you are interested in helping to maintain and and optimization of the school labyrinth, you are welcome to contact Mrs. Surmann.
https://www.olerum.de/pflanzen/blumenzwiebeln/osterglocken
https://www.bienenretter.de/hilf-den-bienen/krokus-co/
https://www.poetschke.de/beratung/krokus-ratgeber/
https://hausundgarten-profi.de/heimische-straucher/
https://www.gardomat.de/blog/spierstraeucher/
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