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Helle Nebelong

Murergaarden

The first play area I want to tell about is Murergaarden - an integrated institution in Norrebro.

The institution has 64 children aged 0-6 and one hundred children aged 7-14. The play area is only 1.050 m2. It was split up earlier into two separate playgrounds. As you can see at the picture there was a fence between them and a difference in the levels of at least 2 m. In some way this difference in level was part of the genius loci.

The old playground from the 70's was completely run down. The local authorities decided in 1996 to hold a theme day on playgrounds for the leaders of institutions for children in Copenhagen. The employees of the institutions were briefed to put forward their ideas for the "perfect" playground. It was stressed right from the start, that there would not be the usual economic speculations - it should be imagination alone, supported by pedagogical arguments, which would decide the final suggestion for a playground.

Although the developing process was purely made by the adults the ideas for the perfect playground came from listening to the children's preferences and wishes for the play area.

It was my job to collate the many suggestions and, on the basis of these, design a new playground for Murergaarden.

The result was a little organically shaped oasis, which complemented the massive surfaces of the surrounding buildings. The largest area of the playground is for the use of all the children, but it is possible to close off a little area for the nursery kids. They did not want traditional play equipment, but they got a slide anyway!

The higher and lower levels have been connected by a terraced slope, which has become a central feature in the playground.

The little paddling pool is tarmaced and is connected to a channel and spring on the upper part of the playground. In the summer a fire-hose is used to fill the steps with water, which falls down to the paddling pool. It takes a couple of hours to fill it. The water is then turned off and allowed to stay in the pool until it is emptied in the evening. The pool is encircled by a willow copse, and Butterfly bushes have been planted and perennial flowers, which attract butterflies and other insects. There are many details: it is the little wonders that counts!

At the beginning there were many reservations about the new playground. Parents said that it was dangerous with all the big stones. The employees of the institution said the space was just too boring. But the children love the space.

The playground has now been in existence for more than 4 years. Not one child has been hurt seriously. The parents now say, that the children are happier when they come home. The leader of the institution says that there are fewer conflicts in the playground. They are really happy with the playground, especially with the water. A constructive debate has arisen between parents and employees in the institution about how far one can protect a child and try to prevent him from coming to harm.

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