Bad homburg: kindergarten in the old dairy, hochtaunus

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Kindergarten in the old dairy

Association presents concept for the renovation of the dilapidated building in the small fir forest of Bad Homburg.

Bad Homburg urgently needs additional kindergarten places; the former dairy in the small fir forest has been a sad sight for years. Why not tackle both problems together? Says the board of the Förderverein Kleiner Tannenwald and has now made a corresponding proposal at its general meeting.

A daycare center can ensure the “sustainable use” of the listed building, said the association’s chairman, Franz-Josef Mues, who conceded at the same time, that this has so far not really succeeded in Swiss jewelry, which has already been restored. Four to five group rooms and a A large meeting room was possible in the former dairy, explained the architect Micha Barsties, who already presented the club members with a first draft. There is also space for offices on the top floor. In a conversation that he had with representatives of Caritas, the idea with the daycare had already met with interest.

The Förderverein Kleiner Tannenwald is also heard by representatives of the city. The project could "make sense", said the head of urban planning in Bad Homburg, Holger Heinze. After all, the coach house in neighboring Gustavsgarten had already been considered as an additional day care center location. However, since only a very small facility is possible there, a connection with the dairy could be an option. Heinze agreed to arrange a joint discussion with the building authority and the department responsible for childcare.

Mayor Alexander Hetjes (CDU) praised the Little Fir Forest as “a real feast for the eyes” in recent years. The dairy is now "the last building block that is still missing". However, he warned of "consistent use" of the building.

Franz-Josef Mues emphasized in an interview with the FR that the daycare plans are still initial considerations. There is also no precise cost estimate yet. A few years ago there was an attempt to renovate the dairy, Mues recalls. At that time there was talk of more than two million euros, but including a large extension, which is no longer planned.

The Förderverein Kleiner Tannenwald raised 400,000 euros from its own funds and donations for the restoration of the neighboring Switzerland. Craftsmen contributed 150,000 euros, mostly in the form of free work. The city, in turn, had borne the costs for the outdoor area of the Swiss factory and the entrance gate on Leopoldsweg in the amount of 175,000 euros. How a corresponding division could look in the case of the dairy is still open, said Mues. The association is of course ready to make its contribution again.

At the same time, the association wants to revitalize the small fir forest and above all Swiss. Several working groups should develop additional ideas for this. However, a visit to the park is currently not possible, said Holger Heinze. Security is not guaranteed due to storm damage. A tour that was planned for Sunday is also affected.

Landgrave gardens

The Little Fir Forest is part of the Landgrave’s Garden Landscape, which once stretched from Bad Homburg Castle to the Roman Castle in Saalburg. From around 1770 the landgrave family had the total of 380 hectares designed according to their wishes.

Around 1780 the Little Fir Forest got its current appearance. The pond and island colonnade were created. At the beginning of the 19th century, Countess Elisabeth had the Swiss company, dairy and ice cellar built. A small model farm was created, but the pastures and fields were outside the original park area.

Switzerland was founded in 1822 and was initially the center of agriculture; After the dairy was built in 1832, it became more and more a place of retreat and remembrance for the countess.

In the 20th century, the Little Fir Forest was privately owned for several decades. The garden became overgrown, the pond was drained, the Swiss and dairy farms fell into disrepair. The End In the 1980s, the park was almost overbuilt by a hotel complex. A citizens’ initiative prevented that.

Since 2002 the garden has been owned by the Förderverein Kleiner Tannenwald and the city. The park has now been restored. The refurbished Swiss factory was reopened in 2016. The association has raised 400,000 euros for this. (TWE)

Kindergarten in the old dairy

Landgrave gardens

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