YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
This was a first positive sign after the publication of a long list of deficiencies found by the German Technical Inspection Authority (TÜV) in many German playgrounds. In spring 2009, TÜV Rheinland inspected children’s playgrounds all over Germany for safety, with only one in ten being considered to be in a fault-free condition. In sixteen cases, the experts even demanded an immediate closing of the play equipment as it posed a danger to children’s lives. The basis of such inspections is the EN 1176 standard, which specifies safety requirements to be adhered to with the design and construction of play equipment and playgrounds.
In response to this disastrous result, TÜV Rheinland, the Pieper Holz company, the Galeria Kaufhof department store chain and the “Bild der Frau” magazine launched the joint campaign “Gewinnt euren Traum-Spielplatz!“ (“Win Your Dream Playground!”) under the patronage of former Federal Minister of Family Affairs Ursula von der Leyen. The campaign met with an overwhelming response: more than one hundred kindergartens participated and submitted their design drafts and models. However, it was the “Birkenwiese“ kindergarten which got the panel of judges most enthused. Matching the children’s requirements and in 100% compliance with safety standards, a playground paradise worth 30,000.00 euros was created in Bad Langensalza featuring a climbing wall, sand wheel, hexagonal tower, fireman’s pole, slide, climbing net, swing, roundabout and seesaw. The dream playground was professionally implemented by the Pieper Holz company, the competent specialist in playground solutions from Sauerland. (www.pieperholz.de)
