Overview
What is a temporary play street?
Just walk out the front door and play in the street - that is certainly possible in a play street for children. Because a play street is reserved for the neighborhood. Children can play and be creative here, while adults can meet up right outside their own house or apartment. In Bonn, anyone and everyone can set up a temporary play street: as a playground and meeting place for the neighborhood and children or for the next children's birthday party. Traffic is then no longer allowed to use the street for a certain period of time and the entire street becomes a lively playground and neighborhood meadow.
What does a temporary play street look like?
A temporary play street can be set up for a day or a weekend, on a one-off or regular basis. Play streets are usually set up on smaller streets without bus routes.
- Vehicles not permitted: Cars are not allowed to drive or park in a play street. Anyone riding a bicycle must dismount.
- Reserved for the neighborhood: Children are allowed to play on the entire street and those on foot can also use the roadway.
- Difference to the traffic-calmed area: Many people are familiar with the "traffic-calmed area" and the associated wide blue sign. Vehicles are allowed to drive through here at walking speed. In play streets, on the other hand, vehicles are generally not permitted.
Why is a temporary play street worthwhile for children?
Children need a safe environment in which they can move freely. This is important for their development: motor skills, social behavior, self-confidence, spatial imagination, exploratory spirit and creativity develop better when children can walk independently and explore their living environment together with playmates.
Up until the 1970s and 1980s, children playing in the street was a common sight. Playing soccer or tag in the neighborhood was normal. Due to the ever-increasing motorization and the associated dangers, streets have largely disappeared as an open space for children. Today, playing in the street is even generally forbidden by road traffic regulations. Many children only spend a few days a week in the fresh air.
Temporary play streets are an uncomplicated way of regaining these open spaces. This gives children a safe space right on their doorstep where they can move around independently and creatively. The street is transformed from a traffic area into a place where people can relax and enjoy themselves.
