Murg Auen Park

Murg Auen Park in Frauenfeld is a riverside city park on the Murg, in the capital of canton Thurgau in north-eastern Switzerland. Covering roughly 44,000 square metres between the town and the motorway, it combines a restored river course, footbridges and a small bathing spot. You will also see it written as "Murg-Auen-Park".

How did the park come about?

The land was once an army training ground and then lay unused. In the 1990s an industrial estate and a road were discussed for the site. A private initiative led instead to a public park: architect Thomas Hasler put the idea to the authorities. Frauenfeld voters approved a CHF 3.6 million credit in 2011, and the park was completed in 2015. In 2017 it won the garden prize of the Swiss Heritage Society (Schweizer Heimatschutz).

What will you see?

The key idea was to bring the Murg back to its original course through the woodland. The river now winds past gravel banks, fallen logs, trees and meadows. Children get natural play areas built around water, stones and timber, not conventional swings. The park's footbridges, discussed by engineer Jürg Conzett at the 2017 Footbridge conference in Berlin, add a modern architectural touch, and a contemporary pavilion replaced the old military huts. In summer you can cool off at the small beach on the Murg. With luck you may spot beavers or kingfishers.

How do you get to Murg Auen Park?

Leave Frauenfeld railway station towards Kurzdorf and follow the Murg upstream. It is a short walk along the water, and the park sits right next to the town centre, so a car is unnecessary.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and summer suit it best: the weather invites paddling and play by the water, and everything is green. Autumn has its charm too, but the river is cold. The park is open to everyone; check the City of Frauenfeld website for events.

What else is nearby?

Frauenfeld has a medieval castle and an old town. The park combines well with a stroll through the centre, or with the Plättli Zoo near the Stählibuck, a popular family outing.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, it is a public city park.

Is it good for children? Yes. Instead of a traditional playground there are natural play spaces with water, gravel banks and logs.

Can you swim there? There is a small beach on the Murg. Conditions depend on weather and water level, so check local signs before getting in.

How long should you plan? A relaxed walk takes about an hour. Allow one and a half to two hours including the walk from the station and time by the water.