Zagrebplatz" playground - equipping with new play equipment
Brief description
In Mainz, involving children and young people in the design and redesign of playgrounds has been an integral part of the planning process for years. The goal is to explicitly include all children and young people—including those with disabilities or special needs, as well as their families and support services. Their perspectives are essential for inclusive design.
When redesigning or purchasing new playground equipment, the Office for Youth and Family invites children, youth, and families from the local community to share their wishes and ideas. Posters, door-to-door flyers, and press releases are used to publicize the on-site participation meetings.
All children and young people are warmly invited to actively help shape the development of their play and living spaces.
Citizen participation
After more than 15 years of use, the wooden playground equipment at “Zagrebplatz” has become so “worn out” that it needs to be replaced. Due to its age, the existing equipment is scheduled to be removed by the end of the year. On June 1, 2026, the Office for Youth and Family and the Office for Parks and the Environment invited all interested parties to a joint public consultation meeting.
Affected urban area
Mainz-Hechtsheim
Planned planning and implementation period
The playground planning meeting took place on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 5 p.m. Ms. Elsner, the planner in charge from the Parks and Environment Department, presented various designs from different playground equipment manufacturers during the on-site meeting. All the children and teenagers present decided together which new equipment would be installed and how the play areas would be designed.
Expected costs
The "Child-Friendly Mainz" budget proposal includes a allocation of 100,000 euros for the purchase of new playground equipment.
Current Status (June 15, 2026)
Nearly one hundred children, teenagers, parents, and interested members of the public took part in the playground planning process. Various designs for new playground equipment were presented at the playground. After a question-and-answer session and discussion, the children present voted overwhelmingly in favor of one option. In the future, the playground will feature an inclusive four-tower play structure and an inclusive sand play area.
The new play equipment is scheduled to be installed and opened in the spring of 2027.