Improvement of the Kleewasem residential area - renovation of the playground and enhancement of the green corridor
18.03.2024
At its most recent meeting, the municipal council gave the green light for the renovation of the Kleewasem playground, the upgrading of the green corridor with an exercise park and the construction of a meeting point in Bieber Waldhof. If the city councillors also approve the project at their March meeting, it can be further specified by the Office for Planning and Construction and the tender for the construction work can be issued.
The reason for the project is the lack of facilities in the public green spaces, the lack of facilities for children up to the age of ten and an unsatisfactory quality of stay. As part of a redesign, the Kleewasem playground and a section of the green corridor are to be upgraded to better meet the needs of the community. The design, which covers a total area of around 2,400 square meters, aims to improve the quality of use and amenity and make the public space more attractive for all age groups.
Playground with more offers and inclusive elements
The playground, which has become less attractive over the years, is to undergo a comprehensive modernization. This will involve expanding the range of play options for children from toddlers to around ten years of age and installing new play equipment that also incorporates inclusive elements. The existing net pyramid will be retained. A play tower with different platform heights and add-on elements will complement the future offer. The outdated swing will also be replaced by a triple swing with different swing seats that can also be used by people with physical disabilities. An integrative sand play area with a low, wheelchair-accessible platform and a sand play table with wheelchair access as well as climbing and sliding facilities for younger children round off the play offer. In future, there will also be a painting board as well as balancing and sitting beams. The entrances will be barrier-free to allow access for everyone. Gentle modeling of the terrain will structure the various play areas and take into account the existing trees. In addition, the existing planting will be supplemented with shrubs that are both attractive for birds and insects and particularly suitable for children. The planting will not only be adapted to the climate, but the fruit will also be edible. Numerous new trees will provide shade in the future.
Exercise and recreation in the green corridor
The adjacent green corridor is also being redesigned to improve both ecological aspects and the quality of use. The creation of new pathways, a covered meeting point and a small sports park will provide a variety of opportunities for recreation and sporting activities. There is equipment for training different muscle groups as well as for improving the sense of balance and the ability to react. The equipment is suitable for different age groups and comes with exercise instructions for different levels of difficulty. "As with all of the city's current construction projects, this design also takes into account the sensitive handling of rainwater," emphasizes Paul-Gerhard Weiß, the head of the planning department responsible. "In future, the rainwater from the play street will no longer flow into the sewage system, but will be retained on site, made available for planting and used to recharge the groundwater," Weiß continues: "It goes without saying that inclusive play and sports elements will also be integrated into the play area design to enable as many users as possible to participate in the offer."
The redesign is based on a participatory process in which the concerns and suggestions of local residents as well as children and young people were intensively consulted. Numerous comments from the community were incorporated into the design and presented at several information events for children and adults, with generally positive feedback. The children's and youth parliament also rated the planning positively.
The implementation of these measures will not only improve the quality of life for local residents, but will also help to strengthen the public space as a place for people to meet and interact. "This is a further step towards a liveable and sustainable urban development," says planning department head Weiß.
The costs are calculated at around 875,000 euros and will be financed by income from the misoccupancy tax from the social rental housing subsidy. Construction work is expected to begin in winter 2024/2025. Children and adults will then be able to discover the new facilities from summer 2025.
