BERLINER COMPENDIUM 10
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Breathing new<br />
Life into the<br />
Neighbourhood<br />
The Giesenberg play area in Wichlinghausen, a district of Wuppertal<br />
in Germany, has been given a complete overhaul. Wichlinghausen<br />
is known as a deprived area. The newly designed<br />
area should inject new life into the district. The new design is<br />
part of the “Social City of Oberbarmen/Wichlinghausen” programme.<br />
Better paths, more sun and new play equipment will<br />
make it a success.<br />
The landscape architect responsible for redesigning the area is<br />
Mattis Ricken. Ricken works for the city of Wuppertal and has<br />
been supervising the project from the very beginning.<br />
Mattis Ricken states: “The area itself has actually had a play<br />
park for many years. This was last refurbished in the eighties.<br />
Combi.077<br />
90.293.077<br />
(m) 26,0 x 15,1 x 5,2<br />
(‘-‘‘) 85-2 x 49-7 x 16-11<br />
EN 1176 (m) 29,5 x 18,1<br />
ASTM/CSA(m) 30,9 x 19,3<br />
ASTM/CSA (‘-‘‘) <strong>10</strong>1-1 x 63-2<br />
EN 1176 (m) 2,99<br />
ASTM/CSA (‘-‘‘) 9-<strong>10</strong><br />
Before building work began on the Nordbahntrasse though,<br />
the play area was set in a dark corner; it was also heavily<br />
overgrown and not considered very safe. Because of its shady<br />
location and vandalism, the play equipment was in very poor<br />
condition. As a result, children very rarely played here. The<br />
roots had destroyed parts of the paths and the foliage allowed<br />
very little light onto the play area. The wooden play equipment<br />
was most affected by this. It all had to be removed. The area<br />
also has an old piece of climbing equipment made by Berliner<br />
Seilfabrik, which has been given a new net as part of the development.<br />
“<br />
The work on the Nordbahntrasse was the trigger for giving<br />
the play area a new chance again. But it was clear that a few<br />
changes would have to be made to the area for this to happen.<br />
Before building work began, all the shrub undergrowth<br />
was therefore cut back and a few trees removed to allow light<br />
into the area. Now the play area is bright and visible and has a<br />
much friendlier look. The Nordbahntrasse is used by families<br />
at the weekend to escape the busy traffic and enjoy walks and<br />
cycle rides. Now it’s really exciting for the little ones to be able<br />
to make a stop at the Giesenberg play area.<br />
The play area was built between May and September 2015.<br />
Eighty percent of the cost was covered by the federal and state<br />
governments.<br />
“The topographical location of the play area was very challenging<br />
in the planning phase", explains Ricken enthusiastically.<br />
Because of its position on a slope, there were only a few flat<br />
areas available. The one large, level surface is now taken over<br />
by the playing field made from artificial turf. The large slope<br />
has a vertical distance of over 15 m. This was to be used as an<br />
opportunity to install a special piece of play equipment. Initially<br />
there was already a wooden tower here with a slide that<br />
led down into the valley. But the new play equipment needed<br />
to offer more: interesting climbing options, stay value, an open<br />
net bridge with a possibility to look across the whole play area,<br />
and of course, the play equipment itself had to be a design<br />
feature. The new play equipment is a real hit and has been very<br />
well received by the children. Even at the official opening, well<br />
over thirty children were rushing about the equipment at the<br />
same time, wanting to climb and slide.”<br />
Marcus Vellmanns, employee at Berliner Seilfabrik says:<br />
“Originally, the old slide was going to be reused. Joining it<br />
to our new equipment wouldn’t have been a problem. Our<br />
colleagues from the technology department have individual<br />
solutions for every play area. Unfortunately, however, the TÜV<br />
did not approve this. The slide itself no longer complied with<br />
today’s standards.” New slope and guard rails had to be fitted.<br />
Now, instead of connecting steps, there is a ramp in place. This<br />
means the nearby cycle and footpaths are easily accessible to<br />
both pedestrians with buggies and to cyclists – without steps.<br />
Landscape architect Ricken explains: “The play equipment is<br />
even visible from far away, inviting children to climb and speed<br />
down the slide into the valley. The children from the neighbouring<br />
school also really enjoy spending their break times in<br />
the play area again now.”<br />
“The new play equipment<br />
is a real hit and has been very<br />
well received by the children.”<br />
Wuppertal, Germany<br />
5<br />
56 Berliner Greenville Trii Berliner Greenville Trii<br />
57
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