Vandals destroy community art seating in Mönchengladbach's Garden with Bridges
Outrage Over Vandalism at "Garden with Bridges" in Mönchengladbach
Public anger is mounting after unknown perpetrators destroyed part of a seating area in the Garden with Bridges behind Mönchengladbach's Job Center (ALZ) at Lürptzender Straße 69 over the past weekend.
Julian Strzalla, deputy director of the ALZ, stated: "We have immediately filed a police report and are asking for any information on the culprits. All tips will, of course, be treated in strict confidence."
The deliberate destruction marks the latest escalation in a series of property damage and graffiti incidents plaguing the garden. Litter, broken glass, and other debris—likely left behind by groups of young people during their evening gatherings—have repeatedly forced ALZ staff to clean up the mess.
This time, vandals smashed a tabletop that was part of the seating installation, a piece designed by New Zealand artist Ruth Buchanan to resemble the garden's colorful, oversized bridges. The attack occurred while the job center and the Garden with Bridges were closed, meaning the perpetrators must have unlawfully entered the private property before dismantling the sturdy plastic table into pieces. ALZ director Karl Sasserath emphasized: "This constitutes trespassing."
All artworks in the garden, including the seating area, are owned by the Kulturstiftung Museum Abteiberg. The monumental ensemble—intended to symbolically connect places and people—was funded through public and private contributions, with the Berlin-based organization Neue Auftraggeber (New Patrons) overseeing the project. While the ALZ has not contributed financially to the "Art Behind the House" initiative, it has taken on stewardship of the fenced site, handling maintenance and public access.
The bridge-themed artwork was ceremonially unveiled in May 2023, with Mayor Felix Heinrichs serving as its patron. Since then—particularly during the summer months—there have been repeated incidents of vandalism and littering not only in the Garden with Bridges but also in nearby Jonas Park, as well as at the adjacent adult education center and music school.
Sasserath lamented: "The table was part of a seating area designed to give visitors a place to gather and linger. This act of destruction is especially distressing because it deliberately targets public resources—resources that serve a marginalized community."
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