The areas along the shore of the lower lake basin of Lake Zurich are a main attraction of the section of the city along the Limmat River. The Quai parks were created starting in 1833 in places where parts of the lake had been backfilled, and were inaugurated in 1887. The public squares and park areas, which are strung together like pearls on a chain, opened Zurich up to the lake, while important traffic routes also lead along the shoreline. Today, the sequence of public squares and parks is a valuable garden monument and makes a vital contribution to providing open space for the city of Zurich.

At the end of Bahnhofstrasse, Bürkliplatz, the Bürkliterrasse, and the Stadthaus Park form a central hinge between the Lake Zurich and the Limmat River. With a new traffic concept, we were able to retain the frequently redesigned sequence of public squares in their original dimensions by relocating the floral clock. Safe cycling paths were created at the same time. Our concept for the Stadthaus Park succeeded in creating a spacious, green concourse of trees based on a grid of ten different types of trees. In doing so, it was possible to retain the old trees that originally accompanied the curving paths. We arranged the new trees in such a way that diverse markets can be held in their light shade. The various types of trees underscore the colorful urban atmosphere of the location while still permitting a view of the lake. This creates a pleasant place to spend time in the middle of an urban space heavily frequented by traffic, from which the view of Lake Zurich and the alpine panorama can be enjoyed.

General-Guisan-Quai, which links Bürkliplatz with the Arboretum, also provides a spectacular view of the lake and mountains as a spacious outlook terrace shaded by four rows of trees. The public square, which was expanded several times, has now been macadamized once again. A broad asphalted strip along the street provides space for cyclists. The streets flowing from the city center lead up to the lake as treeless visual axes.

The Arboretum, which adjoins in the southwest at General-Guisan-Quai, was laid out under the direction of Arnold Bürkli-Ziegler, Otto Fröbel, and Evariste Mertens in the style of late landscape gardens and inaugurated in 1887. The original intention envisioned that the public park, which includes a collection of trees and stones, was supposed to contribute to “the enjoyment and instruction” of the public. The choice of trees in the Arboretum was undertaken not only with respect to scientific-botanical considerations, but also determined by botanical and aesthetic criteria associated with “enjoyment.” Not least for this reason, the park has been able to deal with changing leisure-time behaviors over the decades with ease. The high utilization pressure is countered by means of intensive maintenance.

The Arboretum has been maintained based on garden monument protection considerations since 1985, as the first historical park in Zurich. The in part aged stock of trees continues to be safeguarded and replaced as needed. In all the rehabilitation measures, particular value is always put on the reference to the lake. We thus removed later installations as well as tall Scots pines, which were detrimental to the historical character and obscured the view of the lake.

The shoreline stabilizations and flat areas near the shore have been carefully rehabilitated. The flat stone shoreline between General-Guisan-Quai and the Grosse Kanzel (large pulpit) has been renovated based on the historical model. Plantings have been reproduced in line with the original lists of plants. Beneath the rows of trees, new benches invite enjoying the view. The other embankments between the Grosse Kanzel and the Enge lake resort have been secured and upgraded. A flattened, beach-like section enables bathers to conveniently enter the water of Lake Zurich. The strolling path near the shoreline has been reproduced and offers additional possibilities for spending time, as per the original concept. The Alpinum can once again be experienced as a sophisticated planting of perennials, with the central outlook terrace planted and Walnussplatz and Pappelplatz rehabilitated.

Today, the Arboretum once again presents itself as a varied sequence of historical scenes, and is not only a spectacular garden monument, but can also be staged and used intensively. In addition, attentive and demanding garden lovers as well as individuals familiar with botany and garden architecture can enjoy the inspirations of sophisticated garden art.

We have developed design studies for the entire Uto-Quai on the opposite side of the lower lake basin and finally renovated the entrance to the Badi open-air swimming area. The asphalt surfaces have been minimized as much as possible in favor of open gravel surfaces.