The NEW LIFE competition for the child- and climate-friendly refurbishment of playgrounds with sustainable recycled products met with a very positive response throughout Germany. Fifteen playgrounds in need of refurbishment from different regions of the country were nominated for the final. Voting is open until the end of May 2024 to determine which three playgrounds are most in need of refurbishment and will win a sustainable safety surface made of rubber granulate.

Shortly before the end of the month, over 420,000 parents, parents' initiatives, residents, daycare centres, local authorities and citizens have already cast their votes. The Rippicha Gutenborn playground (pictured right) is currently in first place with around 120,000 votes cast. The once idyllic playground has not been maintained for 15 years and has also been destroyed by the crossing of a sewage pipe. The local heritage association would like to build an attractive playground with a meeting centre for young and old and replace the play equipment.

The playground at the Herten tennis club in Rheinfelden (pictured left), which came second with around 21.6 per cent of the votes cast so far, is also in need of renovation. A parent-child initiative would like to create something new and, above all, safe here. When it rains or in winter, the children are not allowed to walk on the fall protection surface of the climbing frame on the playground at the primary school an der Masch in Lehrte (currently in third place with around 16.65 per cent of the votes), as it is already so worn that there is a risk of slipping. The elements are also partially hardened and defective in some places and urgently need to be replaced. Ideally with a brand new recycled safety floor made of rubber granulate.

You can still cast your vote until 31 May 2024: https://initiative-new-life.de/loesungen/spielplaetze/