Inclusive kite playground in Bad Segeberg ceremoniously opened!

Inclusive kite playground in Bad Segeberg ceremoniously opened!

The new kite playground at Konrad-Adenauer-Ring in Bad Segeberg recently opened its doors and is already being celebrated as a highlight of the region. This is the first inclusive playground in the city, the creation of which came about after a long planning process and thanks to the committed cooperation of the city community. Maria Albold, the project's planner, emphasizes that the inclusive aspect is not always apparent at first glance, but contains many thoughtful details for children with different needs.

Special features include spaces for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers, which have been carefully considered in the design of benches and the relaxation area. Another central point of the planning was the possibility of incorporating children's ideas. These were already incorporated into the concept development in 2021 and included exciting elements such as a dragon's cave and a fortune teller's tower.

The playground equipment

The dragon playground features a variety of play equipment, including a large tower with magic potions, a dragon, swings and a slide. The relaxation area also offers the opportunity to relax after playing. It is particularly important that the entire area is barrier-free so that wheelchair users and people with physical limitations can fully participate in the fun. The total costs of around 350,000 euros were made possible, among other things, by 175,000 euros in funding from Holsteins Herz.

Mayor Toni Köppen expressed enthusiasm about the project and described it as money well spent. He praised the well-thought-out concept, which focuses on the needs of all children and their families. The Advisory Board for People with Disabilities and the Children and Youth Advisory Board, which were involved in the planning, were also satisfied with the result.

The value of inclusive playgrounds

Inclusive playgrounds like the one in Bad Segeberg are not only a place for play, but also a space for community and integration. As Aktion Mensch emphasizes, such playgrounds promote coexistence between children with and without disabilities and support the early acceptance of differences. These values ​​are also crucial for child development and the right to play that every child is entitled to. Unfortunately, the reality is often that many playgrounds in Germany are not yet barrier-free, which excludes many children with disabilities.

Based on initial impressions from residents and the children who have already tried out the space, the playground appears to be a complete success. As soon as Emma and Pauli talk about the colorful design elements with shining eyes, it becomes clear - this is not just a place to play, a community is created here that invites everyone to find a place in the game.

The Bad Segeberg initiative stands out with its concept and the creation of an inclusive playground and could serve as a model for other cities. For the next few years, the city plans to further strengthen barrier-free participation and integrate additional inclusive elements into the city's playgrounds.

This positive development could not only strengthen the local community, but also set an example for an inclusive society throughout Germany.