Genforeningsparken - a case studie
Fun history lesson at child’s height.
Genforeningsparken was built in 2020 to mark the 100-year anniversary of Reunification. The entire square in front of Folkehjem and Aabenraa Library were redesigned by Urban Power og ByMunch. Elverdal and the Municipality of Aabenraa worked together to design and build the playground.
The municipality wanted a playground that would fit into the new green urban space. ‘Aabenraa Municipality's overall vision for Genforeningsparken was for it to serve as an attraction and a green breathing space in Aabenraa, which would host major events linked not only to the Genforening 2020, but other future events too. It had to be an interesting urban space that added value to the area - both aesthetically and functionally'.
The playground had to offer play value, have a story to tell and be sculptural.
Movement, play and learning
The playground zones create play opportunities for children in the two target groups of 0-6 years and 6-12 years. Each zone is adjusted to the target group through the size of the play equipment and the level of difficulty. We wanted the play equipment to contribute towards:
- children developing both their physical and motor skills
- children strengthening their learning ability through movement
- play stimulating the senses
- creating social interaction
Playing on the climbing facility trains the motor skills because the body is used in many different ways. The child gets to practice balancing, coordination, muscle strength and to develop a sense of space. At the same time, they get to hang out with friends on the suspended rubber mats, chat to one another and maybe listen to music.
In the play zones at either end, the small playhouses with facades encourage role play, immersion and playing in pairs. Maybe you live in different cities
that are far apart and can only talk to each other through the houses' mouthpieces, which are connected underground. Or perhaps you could send each other secret messages.
Features
1) 4.4 metre-high obstacle course-style climbing facility in powder-coated steel with taifun rope and rubber seats.
2) Wooden façade play houses (larch and oak) with windows. Mouthpieces, shelves
and peephole boxes.
3) Saddle swing (steel post, rubber seat and fortresses etc. in stainless steel).
4) Balance track of eight stumps in wood and field stones.
5) Colours and surfaces: The colour scheme is green, light wood and black rope, so the play equipment blends into the surroundings. The underlay is fully moulded rubber coating in various colours.
A park for everyone
The playground connects the landscape with local history in a subtle and simple way. The playground area is designed as a rolling green line at an angle around Aabenraa Library. The high poles of the climbing facility are an eye-catching attraction from the street without overshadowing the surrounding landscape design. The simplicity of the playground blends in with the rest of the square's tight lines and has matching colours.
The story of Reunification is reproduced in an abstract way, where the playhouses represent the sentry boxes at the borders and a line on the pavement forms the borderland.
Today, Genforeningsparken is an open and green urban space with room for many activities. A place for meeting up, attending events, enjoying a break, experiencing something new and learning about history. The playground helps encourage children, families and institutions to use the green space.
