Haslach: Citizens fear for Sparkassen-Park-new building plans ensure resentment

Haslach: Citizens fear for Sparkassen-Park-new building plans ensure resentment

Haslach. In the small community of Haslach, there are many concerned voices among the residents. These fear that their beloved Sparkassen-Park in the town center could no longer remain in its usual form. The reason for the excitement is the planned new construction of a savings bank branch, which should also bring new apartments. The residents are not enthusiastic about the idea that parts of the park have to give way to construction, which would reduce the valuable green area.

The Sparkassen-Park, which has existed as part of the branch since 1964, has become an important meeting point for the community over the years. Traditional events such as Thanksgiving or first communion take place here regularly. The meadow also serves many children as a safe passage on the way to school and is a popular place for social conversations. In times of climate change and urban heat poles, many residents want to receive this valuable area instead of creating even more sealed areas.

signature campaign and civil protests

To show their concern, the residents have started a signature campaign. Over 250 citizens have already signed, which makes up more than ten percent of the municipal electorate. Even during a last meeting of the municipal council, many disappointed residents commented on the planned changes.

The suggestions of the citizens include not only the preservation of the park, but also ideas for upgrading the entire area. Some suggest that an architectural competition could help find a solution that takes into account both the need for living space and protects the green area.

position of the Sparkasse and the municipality

The Sparkasse Mühlviertel-West has emphasized in a statement that the well-being of the community is important to her. The park has always been a voluntary offer for use, and the bank intended to continue this tradition. The operators have assured that the existing green areas will only be reduced minimally and that the use of the park should remain possible in the future.

The Dreihans company, which acts as the client, was quoted in such a way that it was not about a drastic change in the park. It will only be a few square meters of less space, which would result in an area that will no longer be paved in the future.

Mayor Dominik Reisinger has already emphasized the need to use compressed residential use in the town centers in an open letter to the community. This should not be at the expense of the green areas. He argues that the project has already made great progress in order to reduce the scope of the construction project.

He also explained that the negotiations were deleted by the originally planned additional parking spaces on Linzerstrasse, which could create space for better pedestrian connection. The aim is to improve safety for pedestrians in the marketplace/Linzerstrasse area by planning a traffic island.

The mayor shows great interest in achieving a compromise that takes into account the needs of everyone involved. The goal is a consensus that enables both the construction of this new living space and the preservation of the park. The construction negotiation for the project stands for October 28th, and so it remains exciting how the Situation will develop and whether the votes of the residents will be heard.