Enjoyment for all at Ulsterberg's marble railway: fresh connections to Unterbreizbach now in place!
New Marble Run Opens in Thuringian Biosphere Reserve Rhön
A new marble run has been inaugurated on the Ulsterberg in Unterbreizbach, offering a unique and interactive experience for families and nature enthusiasts. The marble run, the first of its kind in the Thuringian part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, was made possible due to a positive decision on the municipality's project application in 2023.
The marble run is an extension of the nature experience trail on the Ulsterberg, which was built with funding from the Thuringian Ministry for Environment, Energy, Nature Conservation and Forestry (TMUENF). The project received a grant of 57,299.85 euros from the TMUENF, with a funding rate of 90 percent. The building yard provided the necessary municipal share by preparing the site in the forest.
The idea for the marble run emerged a few years ago, when the nature experience trail was planned and built. Christin Müller, head of the kindergarten Sünna, was inspired by a similar family play device she saw on a holiday in Austria. She couldn't get the idea out of her head and worked towards making it a reality.
The marble run is made of high-quality regional larch wood and offers safe play for children. Old, sick trees were felled, roots removed, and the ground leveled to ensure a fun and secure experience. The starting box of the marble run sells wooden marbles for 2 euros.
Mayor Roland Ernst thanked those involved in the project, including Frau Werner from the municipal administration, Frau Müller from the WSLplan GmbH office, Matthias Sell who built the track, Hans Brückner, Eva Diel, members of the municipal or local councils, and others.
Ulrike Schade, Head of the Thuringian Administration of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Rhön, expressed enthusiasm about the marble run. She noted that it enriches the trail by combining recreation, education, and nature appreciation, making the outdoor experience both fun and meaningful for families, children, and all nature enthusiasts.
The marble run is located on the Ulsterberg, serving as another station on the nature experience trail between Sünna and Pferdsdorf. Parking facilities are available in the towns of Sünna and Pferdsdorf, and there is no option to park a car on site at the Ulsterberg.
Many guests, especially children from the three kindergartens and the primary school Sünna, attended the inauguration and immediately tried out the track with enthusiasm. The marble run is expected to be a popular attraction for visitors to the Thuringian Biosphere Reserve Rhön, adding an engaging, playful element that invites visitors to interact directly with the natural environment in a hands-on manner.
The marble run, integrated into the nature experience trail on the Ulsterberg, offers an engaging outdoor-living experience that combines fun with an appreciation for the natural environment. This unique attraction is not only a part of home-and-garden projects funded by the Thuringian Ministry for Environment, Energy, Nature Conservation and Forestry, but also a testament to the creativity and dedication of local residents like Christin Müller, who brought the idea to life.
