Mountain bike trail and connection of the PNV to Freiburg are central topics for young people in Waldkirch: This was shown at the youth forum, which was held digitally for the first time.
Summer vacation yes or no: miss school? MTB trail, PNV, graffiti – these are some questions and topics with which the Waldkirch Youth Forum exchanged ideas in a digital round. Around 20 young people from all types of school took part in this exchange, which was held for the first time in this form, according to a city press release.
Young people in Waldkirch also want to participate in the local political discussion in Corona times. The youth social workers therefore invited to a digital exchange in the form of a moderated video conference. The participants were particularly interested in the realization of a mountain bike trail and a dirt park for bicycles. Mobility, particularly PNV, and opportunities and support for activities during the pandemic were two other areas that the youth wanted to share.
Plans for the next steps are already in place for the MTB trail, with nine routes being defined in a first step. Tom reported that the youth had already presented the issue to the local council and the feedback was good. “The route should lead through the city forest in any case, because it is easier because of safety,” said Tom. Further appointments have been made with Dieter Loos, head of the Forest Department, and landscape planner Hans-Joachim Zurmhle.
Bus traffic and ticket prices
With regard to mobility, the connection to Freiburg is in the foreground for the young people, especially at the weekend. “There is also nothing for friends who want to go back from Waldkirch to Freiburg after 10 p.m.,” said one of the participants. The young people are concerned about the uncertainty as to how bus traffic will look after the completion of the expansion of the Breisgau S-Bahn, as well as the price of the tickets.
Which platforms offer the opportunity to experience something together? How can you spend varied time together without personally seeing each other? “We meet online and play the werewolf card game,” reported a youngster, Scribbl.io or board games also offer entertainment. Niclas would like to offer streaming along the lines of “United we stream”. Regarding the question of legal spray options, Reza Begas, head of city youth work, has agreed to three projects that could be organized in the future in workshops. “We have not yet found a classic graffiti wall. For example, it should also be suitable for being sprayed several times,” says Begas. Houses that are being demolished are an alternative: “But as far as I know there are none of these at the moment,” he said.
Citizens’ workshop moved to the station forecourt
Finally, Mayor Roman Gtzmann stopped by in a video chat and answered questions. “What will the station forecourt look like in the future?” One participant wanted to know. “Before the summer holidays, a citizens’ workshop was planned, which is not possible due to the current location. In principle, the buildings, apart from the train station itself, belong to the city,” says Gtzmann, which definitely creates scope for creativity. Another question was aimed at whether the training starts as planned. He said that one could not foresee that yet and that the relevant chambers could best provide information about it. “Could the summer vacation be canceled?” Asked one participant. Gtzmann suggested that it might make sense to shorten the summer vacation to make up for the canceled class time.
Then the mayor asked the young people: “What is annoying you at the moment? What about communication with the school?” One young woman said that it was not possible to prepare for the graduation equally well for everyone. “Some people don’t have a computer or the internet is bad, some are very disadvantaged. Of course it is also stupid not to meet your friends.”
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