Students in the German town of Calw now get home from school in about 30 seconds, skipping the bus queue and the traffic jams their parents used to create. The solution: a giant slide system installed in the heart of the Black Forest.
The slides connect the hilltop Wemberg neighborhood, where the schools are located, with the town center down the slope. The new route replaces a winding, inconvenient 15-minute drive through the area's roads.
The installation includes two stainless-steel tube slides in the municipal park, the first 43 meters long, the second 17 meters. Under optimal conditions, riders can reach speeds of up to 35 kilometers per hour.
The project cost approximately 1.5 million euros, mostly from federal funding, as part of a broader park renovation. Architect Patrick Humpert explained that the goal was to reduce traffic congestion and give students an enjoyable way to get home.
Since its official opening in September 2026, the site has become a major attraction and is open to everyone. Mayor Florian Kling praised the initiative, alongside residents and tourists who use it daily.
Due to initial concerns raised by some teachers, municipal and planning officials emphasized that the facilities underwent strict safety approvals and meet all required standards. Education officials welcomed the creative solution, which quickly gained international media attention as well.
