Josephine Koch Park - Eupen

The Josephine Koch Park is located behind the St. Nikolaus Hospital.

Anna Maria Josephine Katharina Koch entered the Recollect nunnery in Eupen in 1837 and became head of nursing at the Eupen hospital in 1842. In 1856, with the help of Franziska Schervier, she founded the "Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family", who devoted themselves to nursing, care for the poor and education in nursery schools and work schools. In 1857, the congregation was confirmed. From 1858, Elisabeth was the first general superior in the mother house in Belgium, where the leadership of the order had moved due to the unrest in Germany. In 1964, Elisabeth's remains were brought to Eupen.

Since the end of October 2023, a mini-forest has been growing in Josephine Koch Park based on what a jungle would look like without human activity. Normally, it would take about 200 years for such a forest to develop on its own. Using the method of botanist Akira Miyawaki, a similar result is achieved in twenty years. About 900 native plants are planted in an area about the size of a basketball court , including ash, beech, oak and birch trees. Various shrubs are planted in between.

Willem Vandenameele