The Bonames Airfield in Frankfurt is a powerful example of urban transformation, a place where a once-militarized landscape has been reclaimed by nature and the local community. What was once a restricted US Army helipad is now a sprawling, accessible recreational area that serves as a green lung for the city. Its story is not just one of decay and demolition, but of imaginative renewal, where the traces of a Cold War past have been deliberately woven into a vibrant public space.
A Cold War Outpost
Known to the US Army as the Maurice Rose Army Airfield, the site in Frankfurt’s Bonames district was established in the early 1950s. It was built to support the U.S. Army V Corps and was primarily used for light airplanes and helicopters. For four decades, the airfield was a functioning military base, a small but strategically important part of the vast American military presence in West Germany. It was a place of high security and strict regulations, a place from which military operations were conducted, and a place that was completely off-limits to the public.
The Bonames Airfield role as a military hub ended in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War and the subsequent reduction of US forces in Europe. The site was decommissioned and returned to the city of Frankfurt. It stood abandoned for a short period, a concrete relic of a bygone era, until the city acquired the land in 1992. This acquisition marked the beginning of a remarkable transformation, a project that would convert a former military installation into a vibrant public park, nowdays Bonames Airfield.
The Great Transformation
The city of Frankfurt, under the auspices of its forward-thinking Green Belt project (GrünGürtel), took on the monumental task of redeveloping the airfield. The design philosophy was not to simply erase the past but to integrate it with the future. The project was conceived as an ecological and recreational space that would both honor the site’s history and serve the needs of the community.
The former runway was a central element of the transformation. Instead of demolishing the entire concrete surface, designers decided to preserve a significant portion of it. Half of the asphalt and concrete was broken up and used to create a varied landscape with different habitats. The remaining hard surface was left intact to provide a wide, flat area for recreational activities. This brilliant decision created a space where nature and human activity could coexist, and where the history of the airfield would always remain visible. The former control tower and hangars were also repurposed; the tower now houses a popular café, and the hangars are used for events and local workshops.
A Park for Everyone
Today, Bonames Airfield is a bustling hub of activity and a treasured part of Frankfurt’s urban landscape. The long, flat runway is perfect for roller-skating, cycling, skateboarding, and is an ideal spot for children to learn how to ride a bike. The open space is also popular for picnics, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the open air. The Nidda River, which flows nearby, adds to the serene atmosphere, and a new bridge over the river has seamlessly integrated the park into the wider network of cycling and walking paths that make up the Green Belt.
The ecological restoration of the site has been a major success. By breaking up the concrete, the land was re-naturalized, and the area has become a habitat for a diverse range of plant and animal life. It is now home to a wide variety of bird species and other wildlife, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The park’s design, which includes different zones for specific activities, ensures that everyone can find a space they enjoy, from designated playgrounds for children to quiet areas for those seeking tranquility.
The Bonames Airfield serves as a powerful symbol of urban renewal and sustainable design. It demonstrates that with creativity and community engagement, even the most desolate and restrictive spaces can be transformed into places of joy, leisure, and natural beauty. It is a place where the echoes of a military past now blend with the sounds of laughter and the hum of everyday life, a testament to Frankfurt’s commitment to creating a city that is both modern and deeply connected to its history.
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