Expensive equipment, but no shadow: some municipalities spend a lot of money on playgrounds, but they are sometimes reluctant to use them. Experts recommend simple solutions that are good for children and for the climate.
Heat or heavy rain also pose new challenges for playground planners. The pitches must be designed to withstand extreme weather conditions while being child-friendly. Dortmund city planner Peter Apel demands that at least one third, preferably half, of playgrounds should consist of bushes and trees.
This is good for children and the climate: “By greening, two goals have been integrated: on the one hand, child-friendly planning, on the other hand, playgrounds with a high proportion of greenery have an impact on the microclimate. These are small landscapes in often densely populated districts, in which the play value for children with the climate adaptation of cities,” says the head of the Stadtkinder planning office.
The climate-adapted design of playgrounds has arrived as a topic in the municipalities, says Ute Eckardt, head of the working group “Playing in the city” in the German Garden Office Managers’ Conference. But there is often still a lack of practical implementation – mainly because of a lack of capacity, says Eckardt. “It’s not so much a question of money as you have to think about planning.”
In many places, the green still plays a subordinate role in playground planning. “Swings, slides, sandpits: Many municipalities furnish playgrounds with expensive equipment from the catalogue,” says Peter Apel, who also works for UNICEF as an expert in the child-friendly municipalities model project. He regularly goes on forays with children to explore their favorite places.
Green maintenance challenges and solutions
Of course, a playground also needs swings, slides and climbing frames. But the favorite places of children are next to climbing trees, especially bushes. “That’s where they hide, they have their retreats,” says Apel, who advocates natural spaces.
Ideally, attention should also be paid to biodiversity when greening. This is also useful for children. “If you plant butterfly bushes, for example, you will see that butterflies are not only found in biology books,” says Apel. The city of Kempen on the Lower Rhine has planted strips of lavender on some playgrounds – on the one hand robust and economical in water consumption. On the other hand, the scent also stimulates sensory perception.
Due to the whole climate discussion, his office is increasingly finding open ears. “We are hearing more than years ago, when we always heard the argument that green maintenance was too expensive,” says Apel. Municipalities would not have to take on the maintenance of green spaces alone. According to Apel, sponsorships by parents or residents are also possible.
Ute Eckardt doubts that green maintenance can be organized in this way in the long term. It is very difficult to bind people to such projects in the long term.
Shading and water features for hot periods
The green also provides shade – an important aspect in view of the longer heat periods. “But you also have to plant the trees in such a way that they cast shadows,” says Apel. This is not always taken into account. Awnings are also a good option – especially when the trees are too young to provide adequate protection.
Tilo Eichinger, Chairman of the Federal Association of Playground Equipment and Leisure Facility Manufacturers (BSFH), also experiences that there is a lack of shade from time to time. “It happens that a lot of money is spent on great devices, but then they are left in the blazing sun and cannot be used,” he says. There is often a lack of budget for the greenery around it.
“It also makes sense to build hills on playgrounds so that the sun’s rays fall differently,” adds Eichinger. In times of great heat, water features are also well suited. “They ensure a great microclimate and have a high play value. The water cools and the children who play with it are cooled,” says Eichinger.
When the metal slide gets too hot
The correct placement of the devices also plays a role, emphasizes Eichinger. “You have to be careful not to place a metal slide facing south, which would then get dangerously hot. Nowadays, a slide always has to be shaded,” says the expert. Tube slides are more suitable for this than trough slides, but they are also significantly more expensive.
“In addition, as few areas as possible should be sealed,” adds Ute Eckardt with a view to rain and heavy rain events. The aim is to create as much drainage area and rain retention as possible. Ideally, the rainwater could also be used again for the playgrounds, she explains. In Hamburg, for example, there is a rain playground where children can play with excess water.
When it comes to materials for playground equipment, many manufacturers are already using climate-friendly recycled materials. As far as suitability for extreme temperatures is concerned, they have long since adapted, says Eichinger, who supplies customers throughout Europe and beyond with his company.
In southern countries, rubber is often used as fall protection under climbing frames, reports Eichinger. The soils there are often very dry and hard. However, rubber also has disadvantages: “It gets very hot and smells”. Gravel, sand and wood chips are alternatives. The latter also did not heat up as quickly.