The future of Bocholter Aasee

• LILASP has carried out a detailed analysis of the area - its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
• Residents and many stakeholder groups were able to contribute their ideas and wishes in autumn/winter 2022
• Issues such as demographic change and climate adaptation also played an important role
• Many measures for the Aasee: developed, assessed and prioritised according to cost, benefit and impact
• 23 October 2023: Adoption of the framework plan and the cost and financing overview (KuF) by Bocholt City Council

The measures set out in the Aasee Master Plan will be implemented step by step from 2025 onwards, continuing beyond 2030.

To this end, the city is examining, amongst other things, which funding schemes can be utilised. In addition, budgetary funds for the most important measures will be allocated on a regular basis from 2025 onwards.

Before implementation, the individual projects will be worked out in greater detail and the cost estimates updated.

To ensure everyone remains up to date, the city reports annually to the Committee for Planning, Construction and Transport on the current status of the work.

The natural area on the western side, north of Surfer Bay, is to be further developed in terms of both size and quality. Existing vegetation structures will be enhanced and the dense blackberry and pioneer vegetation around the bay will be gradually cleared in the long term. This will improve the approach area for birds, particularly facilitating the settlement of sand martins in the nesting aids created by NABU.

The cleared path will not only attract species from more open habitats, but will also open up a "window onto nature" for visitors. A viewing platform is to provide views of the shoreline and parts of the island without significantly disturbing the wildlife.

The offshore island is to continue to serve as a habitat for birds and for aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal species, and be allowed to develop naturally. To the north, the natural zone can be extended by planting individual trees without restricting the planned recreational uses at the sailing bay. Hardy, native species are to be used for this purpose.

Most recently, a report on the current status of the measure was presented to the Committee for Climate, Environment and Energy on 28 April 2026. Implementation is scheduled for autumn 2026.

This project is being carried out with the support of the Hohe Mark Nature Park and is funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia under the Nature Conservation Funding Guidelines (FöNa).

The aim is to improve access to and the visitor experience of Lake Aasee through measures set out in the master plan. Instead of a small number of oversized cycle parking spaces, decentralised parking spaces are to be provided.

Initially, new bicycle racks have been installed at "Surferbucht" and in the area of the large playground. Further parking spaces are still being finalised.

The nature-inspired redesign of the playground at the bathing bay aims to create a varied, attractive and ecologically valuable play area. The project will promote the children's motor skills, creativity and social interaction. In addition, the playground will be made more climate-resilient by planting more shade-providing trees and creating permeable surfaces.

Nature-inspired playgrounds offer varied and interesting design elements that encourage children to play creatively and actively, whilst also allowing them to experience nature in an informal way. Materials such as wood and stones stimulate the imagination as well as physical and mental development. They enable role-play, experimental play with different materials, quiet observation of nature and the development of problem-solving skills through free play. Furthermore, experiences of nature have been shown to have a positive impact on children's and young people's ability to concentrate and on stress reduction.

Implementation is expected to begin in autumn 2026.

Planning status as at 10 September 2024

The project is funded by the ANK with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

In addition to facilities for children, intergenerational facilities are also to be created at Aasee.

At the playground by the bathing bay, a bench will be installed with a pedal bike in front of it and a swivel seat to encourage physical activity. The project is due to be completed in 2026.

In future, the festival grounds by Lake Aasee are to be used more extensively and developed into an events venue with the necessary technical connections to electricity and water. Implementation is planned for autumn 2026.

The meadow areas to the north and south of the exercise park are to be managed on an extensive basis and developed as a species-rich habitat. To the south of the exercise park, a traditional orchard with 30 standard fruit trees is to be established; the fruit will be available to visitors to Lake Aasee for personal consumption at harvest time. A mixture of wildflowers will be sown beneath the fruit trees to fully realise the ecological value of a mixed orchard meadow.

The areas north of the exercise park offer space for further individual standard fruit trees as well as sections of meadow rich in wildflowers.

Most recently, a report on the status of the projectwas presented to the Committee for Climate, Environment and Energy on 28 April 2026. Implementation is planned for 2026/2027.

The project is funded under the ANK programme with funds from the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

In order to enhance the area as a destination for leisure and recreation, whilst at the same time making the link between the city centre, Kubaai and Aasee more attractive, the SO 28 development plan, 7th Amendment, the planning requirements were established for the construction of restaurants on the northern shore of the Aasee along Uhlandstraße. In addition, the green spaces are to be preserved and the open space enhanced.

The café opened in May 2026. The public space surrounding the new restaurant will be redesigned in the same year.

In order to continue promoting walking and cycling, the link to the city centre is being improved. To this end, an additional crossing has been created on Uhlandstraße. This has been built opposite the new restaurant and thus also serves as the shortest route into the city centre for pedestrians coming from the western bank.

As an association, the Hohe Mark Nature Park aims to preserve the region as a major recreational area and to promote nature-based leisure activities. As large parts of Bocholt's urban area form part of the nature park, the town council and the association work closely together to continuously improve the infrastructure for sustainable tourism.

The latest result of this collaboration is the installation of three double wave loungers and three single wave loungers, which have been enhancing the visitor experience at Lake Aasee since November 2025.

This project was implemented with the support of the Hohe Mark Nature Park and funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia under the Nature Conservation Funding Guidelines (FöNa).