Lahti reduces the number of play areas – the playgrounds that have been ripped and vandal

The city asks residents’ opinions about the playgrounds to be removed.

In the coming years, Lahti will eliminate the number of play areas.

The city is currently preparing a plan for play areas for the next 10 years, but Kujala says the intention is to remove poor and vandal play areas on a quick schedule.

The idea is to close about 7 playgrounds a year, while currently the depreciation pace is in 3-4 years.

– The play areas require constant maintenance, security checks and cleaning. Personal work is expensive. It pays when the car and man move, Kujala says.

The cost of renewing one play area is approximately EUR 150,000. By reducing the playgrounds, the city strives to focus the money on places that best serve children.

The playgrounds to be removed will remain as parks

The goal is to keep the network of play areas wide and that the nearest play area in the urban area can be found within walking distance even after the area reduces.

The plan to be prepared takes into account, among other things, the condition of the play areas, the distances from residents and nearby playgrounds, the utilization rate and the safety of the play equipment. The review will also take into account the current number of families with children in the area and the forecasts for future development.

City gardener Kirsi Kujala reminds us that the plan also lives. A playground decided to be removed can be preserved if the area develops.

Disabled play areas are most often preserved as green areas or parks.

– There may be benches, lawn or sandy fields where you can still play or play, Kujala says.

The service network survey of the play areas will proceed to the Lahti Urban Environment Commission in April.

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