"Red" originator of the green lung

Leonhard Eißnert came to Offenbach from Franconia at a young age and worked there as a cigar dealer from 1897 to 1920. As a member of the SPD, he became a city councillor in 1898. There was a scandal in 1906, as he was the first Social Democrat in Germany to be elected as an honorary alderman on the city council: It took a good six months for the then Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig to confirm him in office - and he was then indignantly dubbed the "Red Grand Duke" by conservative and national-liberal circles. His department included the horticultural office and the cemetery system. In 1920, Eißnert was promoted to full-time alderman, and from 1928 to 1932 he was mayor of Offenbach.

His work continues to shape the cityscape to this day: Leonhard Eißnert continued the Anlagenring and provided the impetus for residential areas such as Starkenburgring and Senefelderstraße. From 1911, he also initiated the forest park on Bieberer Berg - a local recreation area that has borne his name since the 1960s. His aim was to provide a "green lung" for the urban population from cramped living conditions and dirty factories. As Eißnert wrote, people should "find the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, to delight in the bushes and trees and colorful blooming flowers and to settle down at the numerous resting places for relaxation and edification". He has succeeded: After more than 100 years, Offenbach's largest park, covering 22 hectares, is still a popular leisure and recreation area.