Cologne wants to rename Playground”: Discussion about costs and meaning!

Cologne wants to rename Playground”: Discussion about costs and meaning!

There is an exciting discussion in Cologne about renaming around 700 playgrounds. Mayor Henriette Reker announced on July 2, 2025 that the term “playground” would be replaced by “play and activity area” from autumn 2025. This decision has already caused lively debates among Cologne citizens, who are wondering whether there are more important issues in the city than the revision of playground signs. How Express reports, many want to know what costs are associated with the renaming.

The renaming, which was developed as part of a participatory process with Cologne's young people and children, aims to reject outdated signs that suggest that play facilities are only intended for children. Politicians provided a total of 38,000 euros for this process. However, readers suspect that the entire renaming could cost a good 400,000 euros. The signs are to be replaced gradually as part of renovation measures over several years, with the costs being covered by ongoing construction work and regular maintenance of the spaces.
Focus adds that Reker emphasized that the term “playground” is clear and understandable and sees the administration as having a duty to address more pressing challenges.

Inclusion in focus

However, the city administration also has another important aspect in mind: inclusion. Cologne playgrounds should be accessible not only to children, but to all age groups and levels of use. GALK points out that the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the local level ensures that all children, regardless of their abilities, can participate in play. Emphasis is placed not only on barrier-free access, but also on a wide range of equipment that takes different needs into account.

Cologne politicians plan to create over 120 new play and activity areas or modernize existing facilities by 2030. The conversion of existing playgrounds into “meeting places for young people” is also planned. The available playing area in Cologne is currently only 1.2 square meters per resident; The city council previously set two square meters as the future guideline.

In September 2023, the Youth Welfare Committee unanimously decided to develop a new playground sign that takes into account the opinions of children, young people and citizens. This new sign design should be characterized by a broad appeal to all user groups. The depiction of fictional people in motion is intended to help to leave aside age and origin and to focus on the incentives to play.

It remains exciting to see how the city council will decide on the renaming on September 4th. One thing is clear: Cologne citizens are interested in the future of their playgrounds, but also in the associated costs and the question of how inclusive these new play and activity areas can be designed. Discussions about potential for improvement are already in full swing.