For the first time, a comprehensive inventory and assessment of all 171 public play and activity areas managed by the Parks and Recreation Department was conducted. The study examined the play and activity areas in all 26 city districts—including their surrounding environments. The evaluation considers both the quantitative availability and the quality of the facilities. It reveals that the level of provision varies greatly across the city, with significant development needs existing particularly in densely built-up neighborhoods.

“Play and activity areas are important places for physical activity, social interaction, and community engagement,” emphasizes Mayor and Parks and Recreation Commissioner Christiane Hinninger. “With this report, we are creating transparency regarding the current state of affairs and establishing a solid foundation for the targeted and transparent further development of these areas. This includes, among other things, additional play areas in inner-city neighborhoods, the qualitative upgrading of existing facilities, as well as inclusive and intergenerational offerings. A particular focus is on climate-adapted design—for example, through soil de-sealing, additional tree planting, and measures for rainwater infiltration in line with the ‘sponge city’ concept.” 

“One of the most important tasks of the Parks and Recreation Department is to maintain sufficient, appealing, climate-adapted, and ecologically high-quality play and activity areas—especially for children and young people in Wiesbaden—and to create new ones where the need is greatest. The Green Space Office considers the presented study an important planning tool and a framework for prioritizing, maintaining, and gradually developing play and activity areas throughout the city,” adds Gabriele Wolter, head of the Green Space Office. 

Wiesbaden currently has a population of approximately 300,000, including around 42,000 children aged 0 to 14. The existing municipal play and activity areas cover a total of 524,960 square meters. The areas were evaluated using a uniform and transparent system that was also applied in other German cities by the commissioned planning firm Lichtenstein Landschaftsarchitekten (Hamburg). All 171 play and activity areas were recorded using a standardized evaluation matrix and graded on a scale of 1 to 6, similar to a school grading system. An overall assessment of all play and activity areas in Wiesbaden yields an average grade of 2.66. This value certainly represents a good overall result and shows that Wiesbaden is generally well-positioned, though targeted further development in city neighborhoods remains necessary.

The analysis makes it clear that numerous successful redesigns, ecologically valuable facilities, and generally good provision in several neighborhoods shape the overall picture. 

At the same time, shortcomings are clearly identified. These include, in some cases, significant shortages in densely built-up neighborhoods, a need for improvement in terms of inclusion and accessibility, a lack of quiet spaces, as well as challenges in the areas of climate adaptation and shading.

This comprehensive overview, which highlights both strengths and weaknesses, serves as a strategic foundation for future planning and decision-making processes regarding climate-adapted open space development and forms the basis for cross-departmental projects within the framework of urban development and open space design.

The report serves as the basis for the phased prioritization, maintenance, and further development of play and activity areas throughout the city.

The implementation of individual measures requires concrete planning and will continue to take place step by step, with the involvement of citizens and the respective user groups.