The Zülpich recreational lake is clearly of anthropogenic origin. It is situated in a well created by the flooding of a brown coal mining area. Thus its position and its shape are not embedded in a larger geomorphological context. Due to its particular location, the sight and pathway connections to the city are constrained. From many spots, the waterbody remains invisible.

The water surface, the shore and the adjacent areas are to be related more closely to each other by the means of a common spatial theme. Therefore, three design elements are proposed:

• Strung-out clearings and copse islands (wind groves),
• a two-parted circular trail around the lake and
• short paths to the waterfront.

Due to the interplay of bushes and pathways, different views of the water surface and the adjacent city silhouette are opened up.