YOUR FORUM FOR PLAY, SPORTS UND LEISURE AREAS
With this innovative product, Runge strikes the right chord with the target group of young people who haven’t sat down on a classic park bench for a long time.
“Children need to be given plenty of space and opportunities to retreat in public space. I consider it essential that local meeting places for children and young people be created or provided, which – also due to their design – give them the feeling of being welcome and taken seriously,” says Oliver Runge.
The idea of designing “Theatrum” arose from his observation how play areas in public space are becoming desolate and deserted or are gradually disappearing. “Where are children and young people still welcome today? Residents complain about the noise made by playing children and even take legal action.
Playgrounds turn into fallow land or building lots because of budget deficits. Citizens are annoyed at teenagers sitting on the back rests of conventional park benches. Where, however, are places where kids are welcome?” 37-year-old Oliver Runge asks. “Instead of maintaining and preserving play areas in the neighbourhood, more and more local authorities combine play areas and youth areas into large playgrounds. These isolated playgrounds can often no longer be reached by children on foot but require parents to provide “free taxi services” for their kids. In many places, there is a lack of nearby meeting points for children and young people as well as outdoor play objects.”
(www.runge-bank.de)
