Meenzer summer streets

Meenzer Sommerstraßen are a simple tool for making densely built-up neighborhoods more child-friendly and improving the quality of life for residents in public spaces.

By temporarily closing a section of road to through traffic and public parking, the street space can be opened up for children to play and for the neighborhood to use as a meeting place.

Of course, access must be guaranteed at all times for emergency vehicles, people with limited mobility, and residents.

A Meenzer Sommerstraße (Mainz Summer Street) is being created in collaboration between interested citizens and the Mainz city administration.

At the suggestion of local residents, a Meenzer Sommerstraße can be established after all documents have been submitted and reviewed, and the administration can close it to through traffic and parking in public spaces.

During the closure period, the street space can be used, for example, by children for playing or even for outdoor lessons, and is then available to all citizens for leisure activities, sports, or neighborhood events.

Temporary play streets are initiated and organized by residents and promote good neighborliness.

Meenzer summer streets are very flexible and reversible at any time – just give it a try!

To ensure that the Meenzer Sommerstraßen project runs as smoothly as possible, the following criteria will help in selecting potential streets or sections of streets:

• Side streets (streets in the secondary road network)
• Streets near daycare centers or schools
• Without public transport stops
• Few driveways, underground garages, or private parking facilities (access to private parking areas such as garages or courtyards must also be guaranteed during the closure)
• No construction sites or detour routes
• Road section with good visibility
• No cobblestones if possible
• Shade from trees
• Adjacent restaurants or businesses

Access to private driveways and for residents with limited mobility must always be guaranteed.

Meenzer Sommerstraßen can be held as a one-off event (several days/weeks in a row) or as a recurring event, e.g., every week on a specific day of the week. The big advantage of a weekly event is the routine that develops among residents, similar to the closures for a weekly market. A monthly event is easily forgotten and needs to be advertised more heavily.

It is recommended that the event be limited to specific times (e.g., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Outside the event period, the public order office is responsible for enforcing quiet hours.

• Only together can Meenzer Sommerstraße be a success. Please be considerate of your neighbors' wishes and needs.
  
  
• Please think about the neighborhood when planning your activities, and keep them unplugged, homemade, creative, and neighborly.
  
  
• Engage in conversation with each other: a neighborhood only comes to life when young and old, big and small, talk to each other, show understanding for one another, and support each other. Conflicts can often be resolved through conversation. In deadlocked situations, the contact person can try to mediate.

• Turning a street into a "Meenzer Sommerstraße" requires commitment. But it's definitely worth the effort! Once the Sommerstraße is up and running, it's not just the children who benefit. Adults can also meet and chat and use the street space for leisure activities. This makes the street space more attractive as a public space and improves neighborly relations in the street.
  
  
• It is recommended that at least three people get together to organize the neighborhood street. It is also recommended to select a contact person for communication with the city administration, as this ensures the flow of information and greatly facilitates communication.
  
  
• The organizers should be easily recognizable on site and available to talk to at any time. The start and end of the play street should be marked with an official ceremony.
  
  
• The organizers should ensure that trash is disposed of and the street area is tidied up.
  
  
• The organizers are the heart of Mainz's summer streets; without their commitment, such a street would not be possible. They are not security guards, but should enjoy the summer street just as much as everyone else!
  
  
• Involving neighboring institutions such as daycare centers or schools, or businesses and restaurants, increases the success and acceptance of the event.

• Surveying and informing the neighborhood in advance
• Inspection and selection of the road section
• List of at least 3 actively accompanying persons
• Naming a main contact person and contact person for the city administration
• The exact name of the street section
• A project outline
• Exact designation of the summer street hours (weekday(s), time, frequency if applicable)
• A contact person must be available throughout the entire campaign period (outside the campaign period, the public order office is responsible for ensuring that quiet hours are observed)