Sports and social day at the southern recreation area on June 6th
On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the new basketball and soccer cage at the southern recreation area in Griesheim will be officially opened. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Griesheim Youth Services invites everyone to an open sports and community day. The focus will be on basketball, soccer, and trying out the new facility together.
The completion of the sports cage was delayed due to the cold and damp weather. The seamless sports flooring could only be installed and cured under suitable weather conditions.
Part of the modernization of the southern recreation area
The new cage is part of the city's project to redesign and modernize the southern recreation area. The aim is to further develop the facility as an attractive meeting place for teenagers and young adults.
Mayor Geza Krebs-Wetzl emphasizes the importance of the project: “With the new basketball and soccer cage, we are creating a high-quality youth sports facility that promotes sport, social interaction, and fair play in public spaces. The city of Griesheim is consciously investing in quality here – and in a place where young people can exercise, meet, and shape their leisure time independently.”
Open games instead of tournament play
The opening event deliberately focuses on an accessible concept. Instead of traditional tournaments, the emphasis is on open games. Various rules and usage models were developed for this purpose, with the support of youth coaches.
Plans include shorter playing times, fair play rules, separation of age groups under and over 14, and alternating usage times for basketball and soccer. At times, the facility will also be divided into a basketball half and a soccer half.
Graffiti workshop and free food
In addition to the sporting activities, the city's mobile youth work team will also participate in the event. A graffiti workshop will be offered on the existing graffiti walls of the skate park.
Free food and drinks will also be available for visitors. This is made possible by the support of Sparkasse Darmstadt und Dieburg.
Funding via Regional Equalization Scheme
The planning of the facility was carried out by the office LS² Landscape Architects, and the project was implemented by the company Reuter GaLaBau GmbH.
To finance the project, the city of Griesheim applied for funding in 2024 under the Regional Equalization Act in connection with Frankfurt/Main Airport. The Hessian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas initially approved €200,000.
Since construction costs have risen, the city applied in March 2026 for an increase in funding to a total of €300,000. A decision from the ministry is still pending.
(GRIESHEIM – RED/PSG)
