Hamburg, Germany – The Eimsbüttel district is embarking on a substantial investment plan, allocating over eight million euros towards enhancing recreational opportunities for its youngest residents. This comprehensive initiative focuses on the renovation, maintenance, and new construction of playgrounds and sports facilities, aiming to create modern, inclusive, and accessible spaces for children and teenagers across the district.
Major Investments for Eimsbüttel’s Youth
The district’s commitment to improving public spaces for children and youth underscores a broader vision for community well-being. The financial outlay will address critical needs, from updating existing infrastructure to developing entirely new play areas. A key aspect of this project is the integration of user feedback, ensuring that the new facilities truly meet the needs and desires of their primary beneficiaries.
Community Involvement in Planning
In line with this participatory approach, the district plans to actively involve children and young people in the design process. For example, an official children and youth participation event is scheduled for next year to gather ideas for the two playgrounds in Lindenpark. This direct engagement aims to foster a sense of ownership and ensure the facilities are tailored to their preferences.
Wehbers Park: A Flagship Project
One of the most significant individual investments is earmarked for the playground at Emilienstraße/Wehbers Park. With a budget of nearly 2.3 million euros, this project includes the development of a playground and a playhouse, situated adjacent to the Hamburg-Haus. Planning for this ambitious undertaking is set for 2026, with construction anticipated to commence in 2027. This facility is poised to become a central hub for play and recreation in the district. [hamburg.de](https://www.hamburg.de/politik-und-verwaltung/bezirke/bezirksamt-eimsbuettel/aktuelles/pressemeldungen/spielplatz-im-wehbers-park-wird-moderner-inklusiv-und-barrierefrei-1096436)
Reopenings and New Beginnings
Before the major projects take off, two playgrounds-one at Johann-Wenth-Straße in Stellingen and another at Baumacker/Pflugacker in Eidelstedt-are slated for reopening in the upcoming spring. These facilities have undergone extensive renovations and are ready to welcome back children and families. Additionally, a long-planned skate park at Langenfelder Damm, costing approximately 1.2 million euros, is finally set to begin construction next year, promising a state-of-the-art facility for skateboarding enthusiasts.
Eimsbüttel’s Broader Commitment to Public Spaces
This investment is part of a larger trend in Hamburg to enhance urban green spaces and recreational areas. The city boasts over 780 public playgrounds, with new ones continuously being added and existing ones undergoing modernization. For instance, four new playgrounds are expected in Hamburg-Mitte, Nord, and Altona in 2024, building on the approximately 20 new playgrounds created in recent years. [ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/Hamburg-investiert-in-Spielplaetze-Sanierungen-und-Neubauten-geplant,spielplatz400.html)
Regular maintenance is a priority, with district office employees inspecting playgrounds weekly and the city cleaning services ensuring cleanliness two to three times a week. However, a recurring point of criticism remains the scarcity of public toilets near these facilities, with only 12 playgrounds having dedicated public toilets and 16 others having one nearby. [ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/Hamburg-investiert-in-Spielplaetze-Sanierungen-und-Neubauten-geplant,spielplatz400.html)
New Leadership in Eimsbüttel
In related news, Christian Zierau has been appointed as the new district administrator for Hamburg-Eimsbüttel. Zierau, an independent, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles in the science authority and the auditing office, most recently serving as a city councilor in Kiel. His first official day in the new role was January 5th. [ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/eimsbuettel-hat-neuen-bezirksamtsleiter,kurzehh-1878.html)
The district also continues to explore innovative solutions for urban challenges, such as the proposal for ‘parking towers’ to create more green spaces and pedestrian-friendly areas. These modular structures, capable of accommodating up to 16 vehicles in a small footprint, are being considered for their potential to alleviate parking issues and enhance urban living quality. [ndr.de](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/schwarz-gruen-schlaegt-parktuerme-fuer-hamburg-eimsbuettel-vor,vertikalesparken-100.html)
This multifaceted approach to urban development and community investment highlights Eimsbüttel’s dedication to creating a vibrant and sustainable environment for all its residents, especially its youngest citizens.
Source: ndr.de
