Playground and generation meeting place in Siebenlehn Participatory playground planning within the framework of a support programme for rural areas

Creation of a cross-generational meeting place and playground on a former meadow orchard next to the sports field in the rural area of Central Saxony

The goal was a participatory playground planning together with the citizens of Siebenlehn.

At the suggestion of a citizens' initiative and on behalf of the city of Großschirma, to which Siebenlehn belongs as a district, questionnaires were first developed for children and for adults, distributed through the kindergarten, the school, the sports club and the residents and then evaluated.
On the basis of the results, three preliminary drafts were developed and presented and discussed in a citizens' meeting.
The design in turn derived from the outcome of this participation. It could then be elaborated and detailed, although due to the tight budget only the actual playground areas and equipment could be built initially.
The plantings and some of the furniture will be financed by sponsors and implemented step by step - in part as a joint effort with the citizens and children. This approach ensures acceptance and sustainability and was part of the grant application.
The playground includes elements such as a ball field, a table tennis area, a picnic area and a sand play area with boulders as baking tables, a combination swing, a climbing tower with slide, climbing and balancing facilities and a multifunctional sports equipment.
The old apple trees have been cared for and are to be supplemented by young cherry and pear trees as well as a colourful flower hedge for bees and butterflies and species-rich meadow areas at the edge. The harvest is brought in together and utilized.
So a central meeting place for large and small Siebenlehnerinnen and Siebenlehner, from the two-year-old to the vital pensioner, was created under the roof of magnificent apple trees.