Billerbeck. The goal has been achieved: over the past 13 years, the “Berkelspaziergang” association has made the Berkel a natural and cultural space for young and old to experience. As a result, Berkel has returned to the consciousness of the citizens, according to the association, which will be dissolved at the end of this year.
All ideas for upgrading are successfully implemented. All planned and installed objects have already passed into the property of the city of Billerbeck after they have been set up, as the association reports. A cooperation agreement between the city and the Association for Intercultural Encounter Projects (IBP) has ensured the maintenance of the Berkelweg for many years.
In autumn 2006, the members of the association convinced the city council of the concept to upgrade the Berkelweg.
Among other things, information steles on historical and natural features, footbridges and platforms, the wild garden, standardized benches, a new path in the Berkelaue area and numerous sensory and play stations such as the water playground were implemented.
The sub-project “Words on the River” was last implemented in 2019. The landscape in the Berkelaue is brought closer to the visitor by means of selected poems and verses. You can hear and enjoy the four QR codes along the way. All objects were planned and implemented on a voluntary basis in cooperation with the IBP. This was only made possible through numerous donations and subsidies, in particular through the LEADER funding and the Sparkassenstiftung. In total, more than 100,000 euros were invested, as reported by the “Berkelspaziergang” association. As a final measure, some renovation work is due for 2020.