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Bavaria Beech Garden Set to Grow with New Climbing Pyramid
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A new climbing structure is slated for the popular Bavaria Beech Garden near Pondorf, Germany, following approval from the Altmannstein building committee.
The addition of a climbing pyramid to the beloved community space represents a significant enhancement to the garden’s recreational offerings, building upon existing features like a marble run, a tipi, adn balancing trunks. The project, championed by the Buchengarten support group, has been under discussion for two years, with initial ambitious plans scaled back due to budgetary constraints.
From Climbing Beech to Practical Pyramid
The idea of incorporating climbing elements into the garden isn’t new. “We have been dealing with the topic off and on for two years,” a representative of the support group stated during a recent presentation. The garden, which officially opened in 2022, already attracts numerous visitors, including many school classes, who enjoy the existing play opportunities. However,limitations in the surrounding landscape – a protected biotope – and the impending replacement of aging balancing trunks created an ideal prospect for a dedicated climbing structure.
The initial vision centered around a climbing beech tree, but estimates quickly revealed a price tag exceeding €50,000 – an amount the club coudl not afford. “Our vision is not possible for less than 50,000 euros and the club cannot afford that. We then let that sink in,” one official explained. This led to the exploration of more affordable alternatives, culminating in the proposal for a climbing pyramid.
Funding the Ascent
To date, the support group has raised €2,387 towards the project, with an additional €3,500 committed from the club’s treasury. The remaining funds will require support from the local market community and external funding sources. Two pyramid variants are currently under consideration: a 3.5-meter structure costing approximately €5,300,fully fundable by the support association,and a 4.5-meter option priced at €10,000. “The jump to that point wouldn’t be that far,” a member of the support group noted, indicating a preference for the larger, more ambitious design.
Several potential funding avenues were discussed, including the Willibald Schmidt Foundation and funding opportunities through the Limes communities. While accessing funds through the Leader program was deemed “utopian” due to stringent requirements – including substantial upfront financial commitments and project costs in the mid-five-figure range – officials are optimistic about securing support from the aforementioned sources.
Community collaboration and Next Steps
Ultimately, the committee agreed to pursue the larger, 4.5-meter climbing pyramid. Mayor Norbert Hummel (CSU) pledged to cover any remaining financial gap after funding is secured, with the local construction yard assisting with foundation and installation. The building authority will also solicit comparative offers from other providers to ensure cost-effectiveness.
In other news, the building request for a carpentry workshop in Schafshill was approved, with noise protection standards reportedly exceeded. Additionally, a unanimous decision was made to approve a purpose agreement for professional implementation support and an assistant for the ILE Limes communities, extending the agreement through December 31, 3032, contingent on the continuation of the current Integrated Rural Advancement Concept. This agreement will increase staffing hours dedicated to the Limes communities from 20 to 32 per week, funded primarily by the Office for Rural Development.
The climbing pyramid project exemplifies a collaborative effort to enhanc
