New wooden benches for Finthen: Improvement of the places at the crossroads!

New wooden benches for Finthen: Improvement of the places at the crossroads!

A small but important step towards quality of life has been taken in the heart of Mainz-Finthen: The new wooden benches at the Finther crossroads have arrived! At a press event, Wolfgang Mägdefessel, Herbert Schäfer and Volker Hans presented the fresh seating, which now gives the square more charm. “The acceptance is great,” said Schäfer, pleased with the positive response from citizens.

The square itself was designed in 2008 by the “Schöneres Finthen” association, a committed group that has been working to beautify the area since it was founded in 2004. The members originally suggested rainbow plastic benches as a replacement, but for aesthetic reasons they decided to go with a more stylish option. With the help of district forester Stefan Dorschel, two new benches were commissioned. “We have retained a good knack for selecting materials,” said Mägdefessel, praising the quality of the wooden benches, which cost 500 euros each.

The financing was supported by Herbert Esswein and the Atrium Hotel, which shows how strongly local companies are committed to the common good.

A club with tradition

The “Schöneres Finthen” association has achieved a lot since it was founded on April 28, 2004. With over 80 members, it is non-partisan and supports charitable causes. This includes redesigns at the entrances to the town as well as numerous planting and cleaning campaigns to strengthen the sense of community and attract new members to the club. These initiatives are not only a sign of commitment, but also an expression of responsibility towards the homeland. Over 40 residents took part in the founding meeting and have since then been actively contributing to the beautification of the surrounding area.

Wolfgang Mägdefessel, who has been running the club for 21 years, can look proud of the progress made. In addition to the new benches, a graffiti wall was also designed at the entrance to Katzenberg, which sets visual accents and invites you to linger.

Commitment is rewarded

The association's efforts are part of a larger movement. As part of the “Engaged City” network program, which has existed since 2015, civic engagement is promoted in many German cities. This program not only supports the exchange of ideas and concepts, but has also contributed to a noticeable increase in local commitment in Finthen. Initiatives in over 100 cities benefit from this support, which enables solidarity network structures to emerge.

The conditions for civic engagement have noticeably improved over the years. You can see this particularly in Finthen: “We are part of this committed community that is constantly developing,” adds Mägdefessel, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

The new benches are not just a piece of furniture, but also symbolize a strong sense of community and the desire for a lively neighborhood. The club also plans to set up five more benches in the future; the locations will be announced later. It will be interesting to see where a place to stay and enjoy will emerge next.

If you would like to find out more about the association, you can find information on the association's website: More beautiful Finthen. What is being achieved here in a small neighborhood is absolutely commendable!

For all those who haven't had enough of civic engagement, the exchange with the “Engaged City” initiative is becoming increasingly exciting. You can find out more about this on the website “Committed City”.

A look at the changes at the Finth crossroads shows: If people come together and get involved, you can take big steps towards a community worth living in, that's clear to see in Finthen!