New attractions on the dinosaur trail

How did dinosaurs evolve and how have they changed over time? Two new information boards on the "dinosaur trail" provide answers to these questions in texts and drawings. The project was made possible as part of the citizens' budget and was officially inaugurated today.

The "dinosaur trail" starts at the foot of the Jenzig and winds its way up to the top of the mountain for around two kilometers. Hikers can learn a lot about the animals, marvel at replicas of dinosaurs and get active themselves at stations. Thanks to augmented reality technology, it is also possible to project animated dinosaurs into the real environment using a smartphone. The trail thus combines education through classic educational panels, quiz games and dinosaur sculptures with an impressive technical experience in the fresh air.

The proposal to extend the "Dinosaur Trail" was submitted back in 2022. With 880 votes, the dinosaur trail project came second at the time.

A new plaque about the evolution of dinosaurs now stands halfway to the summit, while an entire information timeline runs along the railing on the Hundskuppe. The Jenzig Society implemented the two elements, which cost a total of 10,000 euros, independently.

The association is no newcomer when it comes to the citizens' budget. Since 2020, the Jenzig Society has repeatedly managed to land in the top places with its proposals. "This is a strong sign of the association's commitment and the project's appeal," said Mayor and Head of Urban Development and Environment Christian Gerlitz at the official inauguration. The "Dinosaur Trail", which was awarded the Thuringian Tourism Prize in 2019, is known far beyond Jena's borders. It was created in close cooperation between the Jenzig Society and the city forest. "The dinosaur trail is a very good example of how cooperation between the city administration and Jena's associations can be outstanding," said Gerlitz, who thanked the association members for their commitment.

Background information:
Over the past five years, a total of 297 proposals have been submitted for the Jena Citizens' Budget. Of these, 128 met the necessary criteria and were put to the vote. Over the years, residents have voted an impressive 5,792 times, selecting 67 projects for implementation.