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Cologne's playgrounds: once children's paradises, now homeless camps!
Playgrounds in Poll and at Rathenauplatz are in worrying condition; Remediation initiatives are urgently needed.
Cologne's playgrounds: once children's paradises, now homeless camps!
In Cologne, the situation on playgrounds is causing increasing concern. This is what reader reporter Jürgen Carl reports in a short but powerful article Express that the playground on Salmstrasse, near the KVB stop, is hardly used by children anymore. Instead, the sand is used by homeless people as a place to sleep. This sad state of affairs is just part of a larger problem on Cologne's playgrounds.
Not only have children been lost in the aforementioned playground, but also the fun of playing. There are bottle caps and remnants of drug use everywhere. Carl argues that the city should put its money into renovating these places instead of spending it on renaming, for which politicians are providing 38,000 euros. In a city known for its lively gaming culture, this raises questions about what will happen next with the existing gaming spaces.
Renovation of required playgrounds
A poignant example of the challenges of renovation can be found on Rathenauplatz. The two public playgrounds there have been closed for over a year. On Cologne City Gazette It is reported that remediation work will begin on April 20th following soil tests that revealed a high concentration of pollutants. This work is urgently needed: the upper soil layer was partially contaminated with heavy metals, especially lead.
The renovation is scheduled to last until the fall and involves removing the ground in the northern area first, followed by the playing area to the south. After the renovations, children and young people are actively involved in the redesign, which not only shows a good knack for planning, but also gives those responsible an insight into the wishes of the younger generation.
Decree and funding for playgrounds
The need to renovate and redesign playgrounds in Cologne is a concern for many. One possibility for improvement is through the playground initiative of the German Children's Fund. According to information from dkhw.de You can apply for up to 8,000 euros for the renovation or construction of a play area. However, this should only be used for publicly accessible playgrounds that also offer an experience for the children.
Whether parent initiatives, clubs or municipalities – they can all get actively involved here. However, no applications for the playground initiative are currently being accepted. It therefore remains to be seen what further path Cologne will take to ensure that the playgrounds not only serve as a place for children, but also as a safe space for all Cologne residents.