Karlsruhe is fighting against vandalism: fountains should be optimized!

Karlsruhe is fighting against vandalism: fountains should be optimized!

In Karlsruhe, the horticultural department made significant progress in putting the fountains back into operation in 2024. At the start of the season, 87 functional wells were commissioned and, despite various technical setbacks and short-term shutdowns, a remarkable 71 percent of the facilities were operational by the end of September. In a press release from the city, this is seen as an encouraging value given the extensive renovation backlog. Essential to this progress was the prioritization of measures to repair particularly valuable drinking and ornamental fountains as quickly as possible, such as meinka.de reported.

Vandalism as a growing challenge

However, the maintenance of fountain systems faces a serious challenge: vandalism. Damage had to be repaired again and again, especially to the drinking fountains at the skating facility in Otto Dullenkopf Park and at the calisthenics facility in Oststadt. The increasing burden of deliberate destruction should not be underestimated and is seen by those responsible as a central problem. When redesigning the well locations, these experiences will be incorporated into future planning to ensure safety and functionality wochenblatt-reporter.de points out.

Another focus is on implementing the drinking fountain concept. In the coming years, new fountains are planned at the main train station, at Gottesauer Platz and in the Günther Klotz complex. In addition, a tailor-made solution is being developed for the fountain at Ludwigsplatz in order to increase the safety of the facilities. By installing protective grilles, the risk of falling and drowning is to be minimized, which is a high priority for those responsible. The aim of offering citizens and visitors an attractive and pleasant cityscape remains firmly in focus.