Large playground for everyone: inclusion and adventure in Alt-Treptow!

Large playground for everyone: inclusion and adventure in Alt-Treptow!

The new playground on Lohmühlenstrasse / Görlitzer Bahndamm in Alt-Treptow will be ceremoniously opened on September 8, 2025 at 1 p.m. District councilor Dr. Claudia Leistner was pleased with the early completion of the facility, which was enlarged to around 1,300 m². Residents and children from the neighborhood are warmly invited to attend the opening, which is a highlight of the fall.

The newly designed playground offers a variety of opportunities to play and explore. The new play equipment includes a wave slide, a calisthenics facility, a balancing track, a climbing pyramid as well as a second slide and a suspension belt combination. The planners placed particular emphasis on inclusion: palisades and wood chips were installed for access to the wave slide, and there is a ramp next to the balancing section. Obstacle-free access to the climbing pyramid was created by lowering the enclosure, making it easier for all children to use.

Including games and sports facilities

The calisthenics system is specifically designed to meet the needs of users with different abilities. Calisthenics itself is a physical workout that works with your own body weight and aims to improve strength, endurance, flexibility and body control. The inclusive “Alltogether” calisthenics facilities from PLAYPARC are designed to be barrier-free and offer fitness and training areas that are also accessible to people with physical and/or mental limitations. The installation of lower bars, wheelchair bars and grab bars ensures that everyone has the opportunity to get active and exercise, regardless of individual needs.

Integrated seating and lounge areas offer families and accompanying persons space to linger. Only sustainable materials such as robinia wood, natural stone and reused granite are used on the newly designed site. These materials not only support the environment, but also create an appealing atmosphere. In addition, bee- and bird-friendly plants and new trees were planted to improve the microclimate and optimize rainwater runoff on site.

Financing and social significance

The total financing amount for the extensive renovation work amounts to 597,000 euros. Of this, 245,000 euros come from Senate funds to increase safety and cleanliness and 352,000 euros from the daycare and playground renovation program (KSSP). The renovation work, which began in February 2025, will not only create a space for leisure activities, but also space for children with and without disabilities to play together. This also corresponds to the goals of experts who emphasize how important barrier-free playgrounds are for the early acceptance of differences among children and how crucial the exchange between accompanying persons is for social integration.

Nevertheless, a study by Aktion Mensch shows that most playgrounds in Germany are not barrier-free and exclude children with disabilities. The project on Lohmühlenstrasse therefore sets an important example towards an inclusive society and helps ensure that every child can exercise their right to play. Information about other inclusive playgrounds and recommendations for action are available on the Aktion Mensch website.