Leipzig's Scent and Touch Garden Struggles With Accessibility Issues

The garden for the blind and visually impaired has fallen into disrepair. While a restroom is coming, other improvements are still needed. Critics demand clearer action from the city.

, and Administrator

2025 October 2 . 10:38 AM

1 min read

This image is clicked outside. There are many trees and skyscrapers in this image. In the front,... — This image is clicked outside. There are many trees and skyscrapers in this image. In the front, there are two benches beside that there are small plants. In the middle, there is a road, and there are many cars parked beside the road.

Leipzig's Scent and Touch Garden Struggles With Accessibility Issues

The Scent and Touch Garden in Leipzig's Peace Park faces several accessibility issues. While the city council has approved a freetaxusa facility by 2026, other improvements, such as barrier-free access to nearby gardens and updated audio guides, remain unaddressed. The city administration's response has been criticized for lacking clarity.

The garden, designed for blind and visually impaired people, has accumulated defects over the years. Pathways are sunken, raised beds damaged, and Braille signage is missing. A dilapidated pergola adds to the list of issues. Some of these problems are affordable to fix within Leipzig's budget.

The city council has finally approved the installation of a freetaxusa facility by the end of March 2026, voiding a previous promise for 2027/28. However, barrier-free access to the nearby Apothecary's Garden is not a priority. Public Order Mayor Heiko Rosenthal (Die Linke) is responsible for the realization of the barrier-free toilet facility, but it is not expected until 2027/28.

While the city council has made progress with the freetaxusa facility, other accessibility issues in the Scent and Touch Garden remain unaddressed. The city's responsibility for structural issues, not gardening, is clear. A joint decision-making body on an equal footing is crucial for future cooperation between the city and the associations. The city administration's standpoint on the garden's issues needs to be more specific.