YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
A woodland playground – ‘Zwergengold’ – has been created on an area of over 34,000 square feet on the show site. Here seesaw and swings are things of the past, and literally fabulous play facilities have been commissioned for the horticultural show event. The ‘Zwergengold’ concept was developed by the Geskes & Hack design studio in Berlin and realised by the woodworker Jürgen Bergmann.
We spoke with the landscape architects Kristina Hack and Christof Geskes about the unique playground located in a wood above the skate park.
Why is your woodland playground called ‘Zwergengold’ – Dwarfs’ Gold?
Christof Geskes: This a reference to the old dwarfs’ gold legend that is local to Hemer and originates from the days in which iron ore mining commenced in the exposed rocky outcrops of the region, the ‘Felsenmeer’. The first iron works would have been located in this geotope – an important chapter in the development of Hemer. When planning the horticultural show in Hemer, we decided it was important to include local references.
Kristina Hack: The playground has also been furnished with unusual play equipment inspired by the Felsenmeer. The warren of the cave system and the bizarre rock formations are intended to stimulate the imagination, so that both young and old can believe that they only have to look behind rocks and ancient trees to find surviving members of the race of dwarfs who once lived here in primeval times.
What kinds of play equipment can visitors expect?
Kristina Hack: In a clearing in the forest at the foot of the Jüberg peak, the dwarfs have left behind a functioning artisans’ settlement, where mine railway, smithy, dwarf school and tree house are waiting for little people to again bring them to life. In the centre of the play area, there is a 23-foot high mining tower. In order to gain entry to the mine, the children have to find the entrance concealed in the giant sack, climb over the dragon’s head and worm their way through the winding tunnel. Pointed roofs, swinging nests, climbing frames and tree bridges provide plenty of opportunities for children to actively enjoy themselves in the fresh air.
Christof Geskes: ‘Zwergengold’ is not the kind of traditional playground that school and kindergarten children are familiar with. It was our ambition to create a playground for the State Horticultural Show in Hemer with a design unique for the region as a whole.
What age group does your concept target – can adults also use the playground?
Kristina Hack: Two-year-olds can toddle over the forest floor; five-year-olds will climb the tower. Older children will love the jungle swing. We generally had children in the age range 4 – 13 years in mind, but the woodland playground can be used by younger and older people.
Christof Geskes: I think there is little doubt that even adults will be entertained by the woodland playground. The Kulturinsel Einsiedel recreational park near Görlitz in Saxony is a case in point. The artist and woodworker Jürgen Bergmann has created a quite exceptional outdoor recreational facility with amazing play equipment, including a tree house hotel. I’ve been there myself several times and can only confirm that adults absolutely love being there too! I am sure that ‘Zwergengold’ will have the same effect. Parents will be able to explore ‘Zwergengold’ together with their children and take their place at the giant throne table where - surrounded by oversize tables and benches – they too will feel like dwarfs – or children again.
Which playground items were your favourites when you were children?
Kristina Hack: My most cherished memories of childhood are not necessarily linked to playgrounds. Swings, seesaws and climbing frames – those were the little attractive features available in the 1970s. I preferred playing outdoors, building dams and shelters, collecting wood, enjoying my natural surroundings; and that’s exactly what children can do at ‘Zwergengold’. If I had the choice now, I would like to go on the tree top trail suspended at a height of over 12 feet between tree and tree.
Christof Geskes: My own favourite is the ‘Weltenschaukel’, a globe-shaped swing that looks like an enormous beehive in which there is room for the whole family – a really unbelievable experience!
Talking of removing barriers: can children with individual disabilities play here and can mum and dad confined to wheelchairs accompany their children to the equipment?
Kristina Hack: Of course. The equipment itself has not been specially designed to be used by disabled people, but they can all be reached in a wheelchair. The various items are linked by pathways covered by bark mulch and there are no steps, stairways or other obstacles to negotiate.
Are there seating, refreshment and toilet facilities close to the playground?
Kristina Hack: There is nothing like the standard park bench – that would be inappropriate for a woodland playground. Children and adults can relax in the centre of the action – on the play equipment itself. There are barrels and boxes to sit on, you can feel like a king on the throne or take a rest in the dwarfs’ school. The nearest refreshments are available at the Cafè Kaja next to the sports ground, where there are also public toilets. Just like the skate park, the Café Kaja is just a short walk away.
