Construction of the playground near Görlitzer Park in Alt-Treptow, Berlin, is almost complete.

The Berlin Senate Department for the Environment, Transport and Climate Protection is spearheading the redesign and expansion of the playground at Görlitzer Bahndamm in Alt-Treptow. The goal of this redesign is to create an open, inviting space for children and adults, while enhancing the usability of public space by creating visible and lively areas that foster social interaction and safety.

The playground area has been designed barrier-free, ensuring accessibility for all. A popular feature, the wave slide on the hill, remains and has been supplemented with a new base of wood chips and improved path guidance.

The working group "Safety, Cleanliness, and Prevention" selected the project to upgrade locations with specific challenges. Funding for the playground renovation comes from the district's steering committee for increased safety and cleanliness in public spaces.

Meanwhile, the Berlin Senate plans to build a fence around Görlitzer Park to enable nighttime closure, with the aim of preventing criminal activities during nighttime hours. However, the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and many residents view this measure critically, fearing displacement of problems to adjacent neighborhoods and other green spaces.

It's important to note that the redesign of the playground near Spielfläche is part of a city-wide program for improving safety and cleanliness in public spaces. Interestingly, instead of fencing, the community is demanding social services such as consumption rooms, emergency overnight accommodations, and expansion of street social work.

The playground borders directly on Görlitzer Park, which is under debate due to crime and drug use. As the renovation progresses, it will be interesting to see how these initiatives impact the overall safety and usability of the public spaces in the area.