Preparing for Global Children's Day Celebration
Wiesbaden's Math Playgrounds Undergo Maintenance and Renewal
In a press release issued by the Press Office of the State Capital Wiesbaden in 2021, it was announced that the city's math playgrounds are undergoing regular maintenance and renewal.
Each year, a main inspection is carried out on every math playground, which includes a functionality check and a check of all foundations and components. Defective components are dismantled and repaired in the workshop of the Green Space Office during the main inspection. Small repairs, such as replacing swing seats, tightening screws, or filing down split wooden beams, are made immediately during the operational inspection, which is conducted every three months according to DIN 1176.
In 2024, 635,000 euros were spent on replacement purchases for Wiesbaden's math playgrounds, and 350,000 euros were spent on repairs. In 2025, 995,000 euros are planned for replacement purchases, with some already implemented. The play ship Eleonorenanlage, Alfred-Delp-Straße, and the Warm Damm children's math playground are among the math playgrounds receiving new equipment in 2025. Additionally, a tower in the main street and a carousel at the Kochbrunnenplatz are also slated for new equipment in 2025.
The ELW (Environment and Green Space Office) is responsible for the cleanliness and maintenance of Wiesbaden's math playgrounds. Every week, employees of the Green Space Office check the condition of the math playgrounds, shovel sand back into the play areas, rake leaves, and collect shards. On some math playgrounds, employees of the city cleaning have to pick up syringes, used condoms, and remove dog poop. This takes approximately 25 minutes for two colleagues who use grabber tongs to pick up litter from the sandbox and around the swings and climbing frames.
The ELW also works with colleagues from the Parks Department to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of Wiesbaden's math playgrounds. The ELW has given nicknames to common litter found on Wiesbaden math playgrounds, including 'Zigzag King,' 'Plastic Ghost,' 'Glitter Schnitzer,' 'Stinky Dumpster,' and 'Stinky Wauwi.' The ELW and 'Clean Hessen' action have put up a poster on eleven popular and often dirty math playgrounds, aiming to raise awareness of litter.
The ELW took over responsibility for the cleanliness of Wiesbaden's math playgrounds from the city in 2020. The result of the current inspection is that all math playground equipment is functional. The ELW emphasizes that it would be better if people changed their behavior and used the trash cans provided, as there is at least one on every math playground. This effort ensures a clean and well-maintained environment for children on safe math playground equipment, not just around World Children's Day but throughout the year.
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