Completed construction of the first natural playground in Munich: Kids now enjoy outdoor breaks even more.
Munich Embraces Nature-Friendly Schoolyard Renovations
In a significant move towards sustainable and educational outdoor spaces, a high-seal schoolyard in Munich has been transformed into a park, following the successful Stockholm model. This project includes a sophisticated rainwater infiltration system and is part of a broader trend in the city for nature-friendly schoolyard renovations.
The pilot project at Guardinistraße has paved the way for further renovations, with plans underway to create more green, sustainable, and educational outdoor spaces in various Munich schools. While specific schools beyond Guardinistraße have not been explicitly named, the trend emphasizes the integration of nature-based elements, climate resilience, biodiversity, and educational components linked to nature and ecological awareness.
These nature-oriented features can be seen in recent upgrades in neighbourhoods like Westend (Gollierplatz), where water elements have been incorporated to keep children cool and provide interactive play with natural elements. The city's first nature-friendly schoolyard was also opened in Hadern.
One such ongoing project is the nature-friendly schoolyard renovation at the St. Anna Schools in Lehel, expected to be completed next summer. The renovated schoolyard now includes living spaces for plants and animals, providing opportunities for ecological connections. It also serves as a green classroom for learning experiences about ecosystems, pollination, and climate effects.
The schoolyard offers numerous play attractions such as trampolines, climbing frames, sports courts, a Teqball table, and a water play area. It is equipped with nesting boxes for swifts, flower meadows for butterflies, and herbs grown in planting boxes. A total of 1.9 million euros were invested in this project.
The children were involved in the planning process from the start, reflecting the city's commitment to community engagement. The Renovation of Schoolyards (RBS) is also adjusting the general space program for the design of open spaces at school sites, placing a stronger emphasis on greening and natural design.
Plans are also in place to renovate the schoolyards of the primary school at Türkenstraße in Maxvorstadt and the secondary school at Inzeller Weg in Berg am Laim. However, detailed names or timelines of other specific schools in Munich undergoing nature-friendly renovations are not currently available.
This adjustment to the general space program is based on experiences gained from the pilot project Guardinistraße. The project was initiated by a joint application by the SPD/Volt and Greens/Rosa List factions in 2022.
In summary, the plans following Guardinistraße’s pilot prioritize expanding nature-friendly designs with sustainability, education, and community engagement in mind. These initiatives align with broader regional architectural and educational practices promoting green school environments.
In the continuation of these nature-focused improvements, it's anticipated that more home-and-garden inspired elements will be incorporated into these schoolyard renovations, such as flower meadows for butterflies and herbs grown in planting boxes. Furthermore, education-and-self-development opportunities related to ecological awareness and environmental science will be integrated into these renovated outdoor spaces.
