04.01.2011 - Ausgabe: 6/2010

Discussions with playground volunteers in Cologne

Interestingly also are the alternatives of the sponsorship of the Kinderladen Papperlapapp (alternative childcare centre), which is located across from the Rosengarten playground on Eifelstrasse. In the view of the workers in the Kinderladen, which is supported by a parent initiative, the playground is, in a manner of speaking, understood to be part of the establishment; at the same time, of course, this space is also a public play area. The sponsorship projects in Cologne were organised by the Department for Children’s Interests. The collaboration is characterised by all volunteers as being “uncomplicated” and “good”. There is nothing to criticise. The regular meetings between playground volunteers, which take place quarterly, at civic level, are also very much appreciated. The exchange which is made possible here is perceived as being enriching.

Becoming a sponsor in Cologne was positive and simple. For the Kinderladen, it was stressed that the participation of the children as well in the design of the playground is also “going down well”. Furthermore, you could hear that other key aspects were also definitely complementing the Honorary Office. A volunteer –previously a President of the ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrradclub [lit. General German Cycle Club], German Red Cross section of the city of Cologne) – also worked as a childminder. The different experiences (1) could be included gainfully into the Honorary Office, such as with respect to the aspect of road safety. In this respect, you can at times help to sensitise the children with regards playground actions. In addition, they were able to learn how to ride a bike easily.

The reason why the local authority was probably persuaded into getting involved in the organisation of the playground sponsorship work was part of the discussion. It became knowledge that the town cannot take care of everything by itself; therefore, the voluntary takeover of tasks isn’t just desired, but is also a productive addition to civil cooperation, which, all in all, “is fruitful” within the local authority. As the Department for Children’s Interests is very much involved when it comes to public playgrounds, it has been discovered that there has also been an increased need for support. Citizen involvement always “sits” really well with a local authority. In addition, becoming a sponsor is viewed as democratic participation. The last-mentioned aspect also still offers the opportunity to mix in more or less “subversively” with the local community. (2) Naturally, there are also personal benefits to being a sponsor. All participants in the discussion were in agreement about this. You can exchange information with each other, constantly being enriched by others in this way, benefiting from their knowledge (and vice versa). Through the close contacts, the organisation in the urban district moved the associations and groups closer together (“hand in hand”), in this way an “unofficial channel” is almost achieved. In addition, their activities would be better known in this way, which can definitely be considered as a form of public relations work.
In addition, a playground is also an interesting meeting point for all sorts of people. The children are also “intermingled” in this “clique”. For the Kinderladen children from “Papperlapapp” the playground is just an “extended home”. They learn to get their bearings better outside the buildings and become more confident with respect to their (gross) motor competences. In this context, there is the added welcomed opportunity for child carers of being able to observe the development processes of children adequately, above all, by visiting the playground on a daily basis.
For those who take on a voluntary job as a playground volunteer in addition to their educational profession, professional usage can also be claimed, keeping quiet about being incorporated into the helpful, deep-rooted “south town clique”. Likewise, the playground parties are found to be beneficial. These aren’t just an enjoyment factor, but also help to become known in public and “in the town”.

What had to happen for someone to stop volunteering, was part of the discussion too. It is conceivable that this could happen if there was the feeling of not being taken seriously or if multi-registered requests were dismissed with unconvincing arguments (“if it doesn’t deliver the goods, nothing will happen...”). For example, that could be the case if there was no reaction to proposed repair requirements.

Participants in the discussion were, among others: Volunteers Beate Popig (Rathenauplatz Playground in Cologne’s Neustadt), Silke Laws (employee of the Kinderladen Papperlapapp and playground volunteer for the Rosengarten playground on Eifelstrasse/Volksgarten), Johanna Frühhaber (mother of a child in the Kinderladen Papperlapapp), Ralph Kruppa (playground volunteer and editor of the web news magazine for Cologne called ‘Köln Nachrichten’) (4) and Rainer Deimel (ABA Trade Association). Furthermore, the impressions of other, to some extent sceptical, volunteers were included.

Footnote
(1) Almost outside the discussion, however, there were also entirely critical opinions with respect to the Parks and Gardens Department. At times you feel you are hardly being taken seriously there – you often can’t really talk about teamwork. There doesn’t appear to be any common goal. In fact, you frequently get the feeling of being “annoying”. In informal discussions there is mention of not being able to talk “openly and honestly” there. In fact you get the feeling that some employees (keyword “bulldogs”) believe that it isn’t about public funds, but they, in fact, think that it comes out of “their own pockets”. You don’t experience problems like this with the Department for Children’s Interests at all. Understandably the respondents giving criticism asked not to be mentioned by name.
(Interview and summary: Rainer Deimel – 6 November 2009 / i-Point 9-10/2010 – Page 12)
 

Photo: suschaa / photocase.com