Inauguration of Merano's Garden for All!

With a public ceremony attended by residents, experts, and local officials, Merano inaugurated the “Garden for All”, one of the JUSTNature intervention sites, at the end of May 2025. This newly redesigned green space marks an important step in the city’s ongoing commitment to sustainable urban development and citizen participation.

Located in a triangular area between Winkel Street and the access path to the castle of the same name, the “Garden for All” was reimagined through the series of JUSTNature collaborative workshops involving local residents and biodiversity experts. The result is a natural oasis shaped by community input featuring water elements, edible berry bushes, native shrubs, drought-resistant perennials, and a meadow of wildflowers. Over time, these ornamental natural gardens will flourish and showcase that urban green spaces need not rely on conventional English-style lawns.

The park also includes thoughtful features aimed at fostering biodiversity, such as piles of brushwood and stones that serve as habitats for insect species—crucial sources of nourishment for birds and small mammals. Clear water from a historical irrigation channel flows through the park, linking today’s green design with the area’s agricultural past. Hedgehogs, essential for maintaining ecological balance, are also expected to find refuge here.

Informational panels throughout the park explain its features and raise awareness about sustainable green space design that conserves water and supports insect life. “These gardens will evolve in the coming years, proving that biodiversity-friendly landscapes can be both beautiful and resilient,” noted project coordinator Ruth Lochmann.

Beyond its ecological benefits, the park also enhances neighborhood life and safety. In redesigning the area, the working groups addressed traffic concerns and the safety of access routes to the nearby kindergarten. This led to the reconfiguration of the adjacent road and the creation of a new pedestrian crossing, complete with a narrowed carriageway to reduce vehicle speed.

The “Garden for All” is a testament to the power of local involvement and small-scale green interventions. Described by attendees as “a small but charming neighborhood park,” it also plays a strategic role in Merano’s broader green infrastructure: it is now an important link in the pedestrian route connecting the three historic parks of Maia Alta, guiding residents and visitors through some of the district’s more hidden corners.

As part of the JUSTNature project, Merano is exploring innovative ways to promote and protect green spaces. The CiPeLs efforts include installing temperature sensors to monitor urban heat islands, conducting a full inventory of the city’s trees, and developing ecological guidelines for the management of private gardens. The “Garden for All” demonstrates how participatory design and environmental awareness can reshape urban landscapes!