The old airport of Frankfurt. What a place to show for “conservation”!

When the Frankfurt airport, the one that is today the hub of German air traffic, was built in the 1930s, Frankfurt already had an airport, near Bonames, an old part of the city. After a brief period of competition, Bonames was used for smaller aircraft until it was closed down completely in 1992.

And then the conservation work began. The concrete slabs of the runway were broken up and partly removed or stacked up to offer shelter for small animals and plants. A part of the surrounding area was flooded with water from the river Nidda nearby.

The meadow can be observed from a walkway but direct access is forbidden, i.e. no trampling on the ground.

Today the area is home to 370 plants in the area, amongst them the extremely rare European centauri and meadow fleabane. 369 animal species live amongst the trees, and shrubs, and gras, and waterways, 70 of which are endangered. Especially in spring there are strictly enforced rules about access to land.

It’s an incredible example on how fast nature can claim back an area. The old tower building has been transformed to restaurant for day trippers, and Bonames (the name likely stems from the Latin “bona mansio”, a good place to rest) has once again become a place where one can go, enjoy nature and rest – not just a gateway to somewhere else.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Conservation