Translated from German:
Cologne – childish or contemporary? The city of Cologne is deleting the word “playground”! Explanation: The term is "limiting". Instead, it will be called “game and action space” in the future. For this, even 700 signs on (still) playgrounds are exchanged.
The plan was presented to the youth welfare committee of the town hall a few days ago. The Cologne City-Anzeiger had first reported on it. In the town hall paper with the inconspicuous title “Development of a new information sign for the Cologne play, football and action areas” goes to the preserved one.
It is said there that the 700 old signs called "Playground" are no longer up to date: "In particular, the extended idea of inclusion, which takes into account the diversity of users within the scope of their age, their cultural background and possible disabilities, must be taken into account.”
Playgrounds are not only for children to play – but also “play, exercise and action areas”, which “serve the protected stay of children and young people in public space”. And even more: They are supposed to “promote the “encounter of all citizens” in their districts and offer numerous possibilities for use and various age and target groups.”
The consequence: “In order to do justice to the demands of the Cologne play, movement and action areas as a meeting place for all young people in the future,” the administration wrote was “waived to the limited term “playground”.
The new sign is headed by the game and action area.
“Game and action area” – this is how the new signs should look
According to the city, the signs with colourful pictograms of children in the sand, people playing balls and a skater are to be assembled “at all new facilities and refurbished play, movement and action areas” according to the city.
SPD: “Is that really the biggest problem?”
By the way: According to “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” you could not completely do without the word “game”. Otherwise, the order office would not have had any legal means "if the plants were used differently".The opposition leader in the NRW state parliament, Jochen Ott (SPD), lives in Cologne himself. He said BILD: “In view of many Cologne playgrounds, which are really in a bad state – unkempt, play equipment dismantled, no sun protection, too much concrete – I seriously ask myself whether the name on the sign is really the biggest problem we have.”
