Deutsch-Park - Playground@Landscape

COVERSTORY
“Does something really always have to be bigger and better or
more provided and built? Do our playgrounds have to take the last
kick from the user that allows him to experience emotions with them,
which, comparatively speaking, are not offered anywhere else?
How compatible is this with the popular discussions about the social
importance of play areas, facilities with an appealing, stimulative
nature that aim to rouse aptitude, curiosity and a person's
creativity and demonstrate boundaries, which through
tenacious, child-like games are better and better to
master?The facility in Bremen, the "Burganlage
Hermannsburg" (castle grounds), deals with this
exact controversy and is a playground combined
with a high rope course. (The special features
of this place are referenced in the article)
Working on the solutions here was a major
challenge for me in this project. Firstly, developing
places to play that ensured small
children would be safe and secure as well as offering
older children adventure playgrounds that
were extraordinary and would be a magnet for this
predominantly socially-disadvantaged region while still
providing the high rope course. This planning process was a
major challenge down to the smallest detail; ensuring that a small
potty could be found concealed somewhere near the grand throne in
the throne room, having to design very different spaces and, for no
apparent reason, also having to apply mandatory torque for the high
rope facility, not only to the Hermannsburg buildings but also to the
oak trees by means of tree engineering. I think we were only able to
manage the task because we have been building purpose-built items
for 20 years and have a certain level of experience – our company is
made for such challenges. We also had a remarkable client and safety
inspector (Mr Zeller, TÜG), a highly-skilled designer (Mr Jansen,
WGL) and we were confident that our partner companies would be at
the forefront to support us - the Berliner Seilfabrik and our slide
manufacturer (Linsmeier), the rope course specialist
(Mr Müller- Hepburn) and the crane company on
site,” explains Uli Paulig. It was with considerable
imagination that the adventure playground
was designed by his playground
equipment manufacturing company, Uli
Paulig - merry go round OHG.
Another pioneering aspect of this
project is the fact that this is the first location
on the European continent at which an
‘i.play’ system has been installed. The ‘intelligent
play system’, costing tens of thousands
of euros, was developed in collaboration with
leading British sports technologists and is designed to
promote movement among children who are insufficiently
active on their own. The motor skills-exercising equipment of the
mile-long exercise course was developed by Austria’s light athletics
trainer Dr. Werthner with the same aim in mind. Users develop
improved mobility, strength, speed and stamina.
The facility also has a multifunctional mini-football field that
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