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New Panketal playground: Look forward to exciting innovations!
The Mitte district office announces the renovation of the Panketal playground: new equipment, barrier-free access and renovation from September 2025.
New Panketal playground: Look forward to exciting innovations!
On October 11, 2025, the Mitte district office announced that the Panketal playground would be extensively renovated. District Councilor for Order, Environment, Nature, Streets and Green Spaces, Christopher Schriner, provided information about the planned measures that will be carried out by the Mitte Roads and Green Spaces Office. The renovation, which began on September 22, 2025, includes the installation of new play equipment and the repair of existing facilities.
New attractions include a hammock ensemble, a bird's nest swing and a revolving carousel. The climbing frame and the table tennis tables are also being repaired. In addition, new benches will be installed and the path areas will be re-fortified and partially redesigned. A new staircase will provide direct access to the Panke-Uferweg.
Construction work and alternative options
The playground will remain completely closed during construction work. The playgrounds on Colony Street and on the corner of Soldiner Street are available as alternatives. The renovation work is part of a larger process in which municipalities are increasingly prioritizing the renovation and construction of playgrounds, with a focus on inclusive design. This enables all children, including those with disabilities, to play equally.
The free “Playground Check” app is available to support inclusive design. This app offers step-by-step instructions for assessing inclusion in playgrounds and thus concrete suggestions for improvement for barrier-free design as well as access to playground equipment for different interests, abilities and ages. As kb-esv.de reports, access to paths and rest areas is also part of the design of inclusive playgrounds.
The responsibility of the communities
Creating equal outdoor play opportunities is a central responsibility of German communities. Studies show that children with disabilities particularly benefit from shared play opportunities when they play with children without disabilities. This inclusive game not only promotes social interactions, but also children's motor and creative skills.
The development and design of inclusive playgrounds has been a mission of the KOMPAN company for many years. Since the 1980s, KOMPAN has been dedicated to creating playgrounds that are accessible to all children. Nevertheless, a study by Aktion Mensch shows that almost 80 percent of playgrounds in Germany are not suitable for children with disabilities, which certainly indicates a need for improvement. KOMPAN itself was the planning and implementation partner of the reference project “Stück zum Glück”, which draws attention to this topic, as kompan.com explains.
These initiatives highlight the need and urgency to design playgrounds so that they are accessible to all children. The measures in the Panketal playground are exemplary of the progress that is being made in this important area and are a step towards an inclusive play culture.