The Erlentreff, located in the heart of Auenpark, has been created as a sports and social hub for young and old, big and small. In a workshop held with local youth, ideas, visions, and wishes regarding the design and future use of the area were presented and discussed. The outcome of this participatory process was a desire for a place that offers opportunities for athletic activities while also inviting people to relax and linger. Many of these ideas were incorporated into the subsequent planning. As a result, the Erlentreff was designed as a multifunctional recreational space: Equipment for obstacle course activities, a bouldering wall, and climbing features provide opportunities for physical activity; seating areas round out the design and serve as both places to relax and gathering spots at the Erlentreff.
The Erlentreff was designed to serve as a connecting link between the historic downtown, the newly designed east-west promenade through Auenpark, the connection to the campus area, and the north-south bike path. The construction and amenities of the Erlentreff and Auenpark were funded by federal and state urban development grants.
