Updated playground warning signs identified in Cologne
In a recent development, the Cologne administration has proposed a new design for signs at the city's playgrounds, omitting the term "playground" to accommodate an "expanded inclusion concept." This shift is part of an ongoing debate that has been generating discussions for several days.
The proposed new signs would be labelled as "play and action areas," a change that has been defended by Maja Tölke, Chairwoman of the North Rhine-Westphalia Youth Council. Tölke believes the new terminology reflects the needs of different age groups and emphasizes the importance of an open formulation to avoid specifying activities too narrowly.
However, the plans have not been universally accepted. Henriette Reker, the Mayor of Cologne, has distanced herself from the project, expressing some incomprehension about the municipal administration's approach. Reker personally finds the term "playground" clear and understandable.
The North Rhine-Westphalia Youth Council, led by Tölke, is defending the proposed renaming, stating that it's important for young people to have freedoms for their development, and the word "play" remains in the new terminology, with "action area" suggesting movement, which Tölke believes appeals to young people.
Despite the Youth Council's advocacy, it is uncertain whether the Cologne city council will approve the planned renaming. The final decision lies with the council, and the renaming plans have not been approved yet.
Meanwhile, in a separate news from the city of Hamm, comedian Guido Cantz has used the Cologne renaming plans to label Cologne as the "capital of the crazy." However, the validity of such a title remains a matter of personal opinion.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the status of the playground renaming in Cologne, we recommend checking official Cologne city council announcements, local news outlets, or contacting the city council directly. They would have the most current details on any decisions or proposals related to playground names.
The new signs for playgrounds, if approved, will be labeled as "play and action areas," a change that aligns with the North Rhine-Westphalia Youth Council's expanded lifestyle vision for home-and-garden spaces, including play areas. Despite approval being uncertain, the shifting terminology emphasizes the desire for open-ended, flexible activities that appeal to diverse age groups.
