Spielplatz Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße

In June 2020, Bremerhaven's first natural playground opened on Käthe-Kollwitz-Straße. The city's horticulture department involved local children in the planning to design a playground that matched their wishes. During a visit in late summer 2018, everyone agreed on the theme "Detectives," allowing nearly all major wishes from children and teens—like a large climbing structure, swings, sand play, a ball game area, hiding spots, and slides—to be included.

Only natural materials were used to build the playground, such as wood from trees felled in the city, natural Weser sandstone, and a water-bound path surface. Rainwater does not flow into the sewer system but seeps into the ground while also watering the newly planted greenery on the playground. Local companies were hired to install the equipment and carry out landscaping work.

The existing deciduous and fruit trees provide natural shade and recall the site's history as the "Gleisdreieck" with its allotment gardens.

This playground is meant to change over time—puddles are allowed to form and invite play, and bushes can be used for hiding. That’s what makes a nature-based playground: the play isn’t predetermined down to the last detail, as was said in the opening speech.