Verwaister playground in Syke: How the redesign of children lost

Verwaister playground in Syke: How the redesign of children lost

Am Syker Mühlenteich has changed the situation at the well -known playground. In the past, this place was a popular meeting place for children who spent their time with games and romping around. But after a redesign that took place a few years ago, the children can hardly be seen, which annoys the Syker entrepreneur Roman Wohlgemuth.

The story of the playground is closely linked to Wohlgemuth, whose grandchildren once often frequented it. In 2021 he decided to support the small playground by donating a sun sail to offer the children shadow in hot summer. To do this, he collected donations of around 12,000 euros, which came together in just three weeks. The sun sail was installed, and at first everything seemed to be good.

The redesign and its consequences

What started as a positive project developed into the contrary. The city had decided to revise the children's equipment on the playground. Instead of the popular slide and the rocker swing, including play equipment, which should cover a current need, but many children withdraw from fun. Wohlgemuth now observes that the place is "completely orphaned". Before the redesign, the playground was still a lively place, now the exuberant children's laughter is missing.

First city councilor Thomas Kuchem said that several factors had contributed to this unexpected decline. A council decision provided for the installation of new inclusive play equipment in the Edgar-Deichmann-Park, which meant that the rocker swing had to be temporarily removed. The slide, which could not be shaded sufficiently due to its orientation, was also dismantled. The result of these measures was a playground for which Wohlgemuth sees a kind of exclusion of the non -disabled children. "There are now handicapped play equipment, but the other children simply don't go there," said Wohlgemuth.

The future of the playground

A possible solution seems to be in sight: there are plans to rebuild the old slide, but under the trees to donate shadows. In addition, the rocker swing could also come back to its original place. According to Wohlgemuth, however, an important initiative was necessary to strive for such changes. He expresses the fear that the old devices may have been rotten on the building yard without their intervention.

The situation at the playground is not only a local problem, but also illustrates a larger trend in urban planning. The integration of inclusive play equipment is important, but this should not be done at the expense of the existing play opportunities for all children. The case shows the need for a balanced approach to ensure that all children, regardless of their skills, are able to participate in the leisure activities that give them pleasure.

The value of the community

Roman Wohlemuth's commitment to the playground is an inspiring story that underlines the value of community and cooperation. His passion to offer the children a safe and inviting environment is admirable and shows how important it is that individuals are committed to the well -being of the community. It remains to be seen how the city reacts to the feedback from the citizens, but the hopes for a revival of the playground and a positive change in urban planning are available.

The importance of playgrounds for children and communities

playgrounds are much more than just places for children to play. They are crucial for the social and motor development of young people. These places not only promote physical activity, but also the social interactions and the creativity of children. Studies show that children who often play in playgrounds are better able to make friendships and develop social skills. According to an investigation by the American Academy of Pediatrics, children can strengthen their emotional intelligence through creative playing in a safe environment.

In addition, playgrounds are a valuable part of communities. They offer families places for lingering and for social interactions. They often act as meeting points for parents and neighbors, which strengthens the sense of community. Therefore, the design and maintenance of playgrounds is of great importance to promote these social networks.

Current developments in playground design

The discussion about inclusive toys, which emerged in the case of the playground at the Mühlenteich in Syke, reflects a larger trend in playground design. A rethink has taken place in recent years: playgrounds should become increasingly integrative places that are accessible to all children, regardless of their skills. According to the "Federal Working Group on Child Day Care", inclusive games are important for the development of empathy and social understanding between children with and without disabilities.

These developments follow growing awareness of the needs of all children in society. Cities and municipalities worldwide are increasingly investing in the creation of playgrounds that not only improve physical access, but also offer special play equipment that meet children with different skills.

The financial aspects of playground design

The provision and maintenance of playgrounds often presents municipalities with financial challenges. The investments can be considerable, especially if including play equipment, retrofitted or reinstalled. In this case there was an issue of around 10,000 euros for new play equipment, which shows that a significant part of the budget for playground design must be planned.

According to the "German Association of Cities and Towns", cities have to find compromises again and again in order to take into account the needs of children and parents. In order to increase acceptance and use, it is essential to include the opinions of the residents in the planning process. The case in Syke illustrates how important such citizen participation is to ensure that the offers reflect the actual needs of the community. Websites such as the German Cities and Community Association offer helpful information about best practice in urban planning and the development of playgrounds.