The unlit playground Páričkova in Bratislava. (source: Jozef Jakubčo)
Children and their parents do not much visit playgrounds in Bratislava in winter, when the sun sets before 16:00. Even if they wanted to, sometimes the playground is so dimly lit that they cannot see under their feet.
“The availability and usability of playgrounds in winter is a big problem in Bratislava,” Lucia Lišková, a mother who watches courtyards across Bratislava in her spare time, told the Sme daily. “I’ve walked many playgrounds and most of them are dark, unlit and the surface is inadequate in winter.”
The situation with playgrounds built within new developments are better off. Unlike older ones, they feature rubber surfaces that do not retain water. They also often contain covered play elements, which also makes life easier for parents who want to be outside with their children in winter.
Boroughs often add lighting when playgrounds are repaired, otherwise they do not see it as a problem if it is missing somewhere.
“After the revitalisation of the children’s playground in Pekníkova Park, we added solar lighting,” said Danka Šoporová from the local authority of the Dúbravka borough. The argument was that the playground is frequented and the park is generally equipped for various activities.
In Petržalka, according to the spokeswoman Mária Halašková, this year they provided separate lighting on multifunctional playgrounds on the grounds of four elementary schools, which are also open to the public.
The playground near Košická near the city centre is empty in the evening. In a relatively large open space, it would not take much to make it look safe even after dark. The nearest lamp is about 15 metres from the climbing frames and it is not enough.
The playground between Kulíškova and Kvetná Streets, Ružinov borough, was so dark during the visit that it was even impossible to find the entrance.
A good playground is also used in winter
Most of the playgrounds are managed by the city boroughs and are illuminated mainly by street lamps, which are taken care of by the municipal Technické siete Bratislava company. The boroughs most often refer to it for lighting problems.
“We don't receive any complaints, the playgrounds are intended for small children, so they are not used in the evening,” said Branislav Heldes, spokesman for the Karlova Ves borough.
The illuminated playgrounds for new buildings such as the Urban Residence in Nové Mesto borough or Sky Park near the Nivy bus station seems to be used in the evenings.
“This is the playground I will visi with my children in winter, because it is well lit and I won’t have to keep reminding them – don’t come here, it’s wet here,” says Lišková about the playground at Urban Residence.
The boroughs do not consider the lack of lighting in most playgrounds to be a problem while they even receive complaints when they are lit.
“It's questionable whether an increase in playground lighting would be only positively perceived,” said Halašková of Petržalka, adding that residents complain that the playground is noisy outside visiting hours. “These are until 20:00 in the evening in the summer months, and until 18:00 in the winter months.”
In Karlova Ves borough, the opening hours in the autumn and spring months are until 17:00 in the evening.
“In the winter months, the use of the playground is at your own risk," said spokesman Branislav Heldes, adding that their residents do not complain about unlit playgrounds. “On the contrary, we register complaints about, for example, illuminated sports areas disturb the surroundings.”
Manuals for developers
In one of its manuals, the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB) at the city hall discusses suitable lighting.
“Girls, women, the elderly and children in particular feel very strongly about the issue of insufficient lighting,” says Eva Hapčová from MIB.
For playgrounds, the researchers say, it is important to pay attention to visual comfort and breaking up shadows. Lighting should therefore be situated on at least two sides in the playground corners.
“Another condition is placing lights outside the active playing area, where they could be an obstacle to safe movement,” said Hapčová. At the same time, the lights should not dazzle anyone, even children on the climbing frames.
The MIB’s suggestions are only a recommendation, but private investors often follow them.
©SME
