Playground Associations
The city of Rotterdam has 52 playground associations, most of which have a long history. Playground associations offer children a safe yet challenging place to play. These playgrounds are often green oases in the city and many even offer activities for adults, making them important meeting places in the neighbourhood. Traditionally, these playgrounds are managed by associations in which local residents are active. In some playground associations, these active residents are even those who have played there as children themselves in the past. However, management is becoming increasingly difficult in some neighbourhoods. The associations find it difficult to recruit volunteers if residents are not involved or have little time. What forms of management can be used to maintain these playgrounds as vital meeting places of and for the neighbourhood in the future?
The Municipality of Rotterdam has requested the Veldacademie to investigate the status of two playgrounds (Pietje Bell in Prinsenland and Taka-Tukaland in Zevenkamp). These playgrounds are currently managed by a welfare organisation and in recent years should have been handed over to parents and/or local residents in the form of a (playground) association. However, this process has yet to get off the ground successfully. We have investigated the underlying causes so that the municipality can make an informed decision regarding the management of these playgrounds.
Research questions and methods
The research focuses on four themes:
- Context and connection: How are the playgrounds embedded in the neighbourhood network and how are they situated spatially? And where are the opportunities for cooperation?
- Identity, functions and design: How do the various users of these places view the playgrounds, what are their ambitions with regards to their identity, design and functions?
- Use: How many visitors do these playgrounds receive? And how do they use the playground?
- Management: How is the playground organised? What tasks can be distinguished for the maintenance of a playground, who carries them out now and in what way, and who could take on these roles? And what support is there in the neighbourhood for managing the playground in the form of a playground association or foundation.
We answered these questions using various qualitative research techniques. We held interviews with those involved in the playground, such as the administrator, volunteers, professionals involved from organisations in the neighbourhood and the visitors. We also conducted an online survey among local residents and users such as schools. We also held discussions with key figures, visited the locations and carried out a Living Field Analysis.
Results
Our research shows that the neighbourhoods Prinsenland and Zevenkamp do not currently offer an optimal context for a playground association. In both cases, few residents are interested in being active in the playground. This has consequences for visits and management of the parks. Moreover, the social and professional connections are limited and the playgrounds have not fully succeeded in structurally connecting with other organisations in the area, such as schools, sports clubs and cultural institutions. The immediate surroundings of Taka-Tukaland in particular offer opportunities for this.
The independent management of Pietje Bell and Taka-Tukaland does not seem feasible in the short term. A main reason for this is a lack of supporting volunteers who are willing to take on long-term responsibility. In addition, till date there has not been optimal cooperation between the welfare organisation, the municipality and other parties in the neighbourhood in attempts to make these playgrounds function independently. It is further complicated by the creation of rental stock and the book value of buildings in the area surrounding the playgrounds.
However, we do see opportunities for attracting new visitors. Both playgrounds are situated in beautiful green locations, which perfectly fit the identity of the playgrounds with their natural and adventurous character. The locations also offer opportunities for meetings and a wider and more varied range of functions: cultural, social, sporting and educational. The local residents are also open to this. At present, the number of activities is limited: the playgrounds are primarily suited for young children up to the age of 8. Giving the playgrounds a more varied range of functions, could make them more attractive to a broader group of people with different skills and interests. Moreover, the terrain is now used relatively little; extending it to the evenings and opening it at the weekend could increase its use.
Follow-up
The findings were discussed in several sessions with stakeholders from the Municipality of Rotterdam, where a number of scenarios for management and development were explored. We especially studied scenarios that would do justice to the distinctive character of playgrounds and in which clear ownership, social binding, a broad range of functions and full programming are central. Two development possibilities that were considered promising were a semi-public playground with a neighbourhood function and a green playground with a (sustainable) mission.