With new play combinations, a swing, a zip line, and a calisthenics area, the redesigned space offers a wide range of opportunities for play, physical activity, and social interaction. The redesign was implemented in phases and incorporated feedback from the neighborhood as well as ideas from children, teens, and parents.

Jana Schmöller, Commissioner for Children and Youth, emphasizes the importance of young people’s participation in shaping their living environment: “A playground is much more than just a place to play. It’s a gathering place where children and teens can experience a sense of community, try new things, and discover their abilities. At Wasserwerkswiese, we took the neighborhood’s wishes into account and involved children, teens, and parents in selecting the new playground equipment. This creates a place with which local residents can identify.”

From Initial Wishes to Implementation

As early as 2021, residents expressed a desire for new goals for the soccer field. The goals were replaced in 2022 using funds from the “Child-Friendly Mainz 2021” budget allocation. In 2022, the first indications emerged that older playground equipment needed to be removed. In the winter of 2023–24, several pieces of equipment were finally removed due to their age, freeing up space for new play structures.

In the spring of 2023, a new swing and a zip line were initially installed. Since this was a one-for-one replacement of existing playground equipment, no separate public participation process was planned for this phase. A public participation process was subsequently conducted for the further redesign.

More than 70 children, teenagers, and parents gathered on-site for two public participation events in 2024. Together, they selected the play equipment for the two new play structures. The events were open to children, teenagers, and residents of the immediate neighborhood and were promoted through daycare centers, schools, and youth centers, among other channels.

“The public participation process has shown how important it is to take the perspectives of children and youth seriously and to give them space to contribute their own ideas,” says Schmöller. “I’d like to thank everyone who got involved, as well as the participating departments for their excellent cooperation. Close coordination between the Children and Youth Division and the Parks and Environment Division is crucial, especially when it comes to the further development of our playgrounds.”

The planning and implementation of the two playground combinations took place in late 2024 and early 2025. The new playground equipment was ready for use as early as the beginning of summer 2025. The cost of this construction project totaled 72,000 euros.

Calisthenics Facility Complements the Range of Physical Activities

In addition to the playground redesign, a proposal from the Finthen Local Advisory Council to build a calisthenics facility was taken up. The Parks and Environment Department proposed integrating the facility into the overall design of the Wasserwerkswiese. Funding came from the “Exercise Gardens” budget line item in Department 67.

To incorporate the calisthenics facility into the planning, the appropriate exercise equipment was selected in collaboration with users as part of the public participation process. Due to the budgetary situation, implementation had to be postponed initially. After the funds were approved in the 2026 budget, the facility was installed in the spring of 2026 and opened for use in June 2026.

Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environment Department, explains: “With the calisthenics facility, we are expanding the range of physical activities available at Wasserwerkswiese to include an attractive option for youth and adults. Together with the playground equipment, this creates a place where people of different age groups can be active and interact. The fact that we were able to integrate the facility into the overall design is a good example of how we are further developing play and exercise spaces to meet local needs. The sports development plan presented by the city last year also revealed a high demand for accessible sports and exercise opportunities. The calisthenics facility in Finthen adds another building block to a citywide network of such offerings in Mainz.

Steinkrüger also emphasizes the importance of funding and careful planning: “When designing public play and exercise areas, we must balance the wishes of local residents with technical requirements and available budget funds. This includes reliable planning, the coordination of individual construction phases, and the responsible use of public funds.”

Further Investments in Playgrounds Planned

The redesign of the Wasserwerkswiese also reflects the ongoing commitment to maintaining and further developing play and recreational areas in Mainz. Given the significant need for renovation, the administration’s draft budget for 2027 allocates increased funding for these measures: A total of 500,000 euros has been earmarked. The allocation is subject to deliberations by the City Council and approval by the Supervisory and Service Directorate (ADD).

“We know that there is still a significant need for action regarding Mainz’s playgrounds. That is why it is important to plan necessary renovations and new offerings with foresight and to use the available funds in a targeted manner,” concluded the two department heads, Schmöller and Steinkrüger. 

The selection of additional projects will be based on a joint list of priorities drawn up by the responsible departments 51 (Department of Youth and Family) and 67 (Department of Parks and Environment). The aim is to allocate available resources where the need is greatest and where the measures will create lasting benefits for children, youth, and families.