What makes the playground at Gertrudisplatz so special? Imagine a place where it doesn’t matter whether someone was born with or without a disability. A place where all children can interact as equals, make friends, and simply be children. That is exactly the kind of space we inaugurated last Tuesday together with many others in Düsseldorf-Eller.
For us at KRASS e.V., this day was a truly special and heartfelt moment. We were invited to the official opening of the new playground at Gertrudisplatz—and we were determined to share this moment with the children who need it most. So, without further ado, we picked up a group of children from various refugee shelters and took them along to the opening. It was wonderful to see how the children—regardless of their background or starting conditions—immediately connected with one another, explored the new equipment together, and simply had fun. Moments like these are exactly what we stand for at KRASS e.V.: enabling participation and building bridges.
The playground on Gertrudisplatz is a milestone for inclusion.
The new inclusive playground at Gertrudisplatz is no ordinary playground; it is already the 60th project of the “Stück zum Glück” initiative. Since 2018, Procter & Gamble (P&G), REWE, and Aktion Mensch have been working together to create exactly these kinds of meeting places throughout Germany.
The urgent need for such spaces is demonstrated by the figures: around 80 percent of playgrounds in Germany are not currently designed to be inclusive. They effectively exclude children with disabilities, as the equipment is often not designed to meet their needs. The new playground project at Gertrudisplatz sets an example in this regard. Developed in close cooperation with the city's Parks, Cemeteries, and Forestry Department, it creates a space that embraces the diversity of people as the norm.
Playing without barriers
What makes this playground at Gertrudisplatz so special? Its design focused on inclusion and the holistic development of children. Whether cognitive, motor, or social – every child should be challenged and supported here.
The design of the inclusive playground is impressively well thought out:
- Special swings: With support devices for children who need assistance when sitting upright.
- Ground-level carousel: It also allows children in wheelchairs or with physical disabilities to ride along.
- Accessible seesaw: With back and footrests for stability.
- Sensory walls and climbing areas: They offer challenges for different age groups and promote motor development.
A true “local hero”: David Hegemann as playground patron
We were especially pleased with the role of David Hegemann. The Düsseldorf REWE retailer is the patron of the playground at Gertrudisplatz and, in our opinion, a true "local hero" in our neighborhood. He not only closely supported the project but also embodies inclusion every day: As the recipient of the "Inclusion Award for Business 2024," he employs people with and without disabilities in his Düsseldorf stores.
For Hegemann, inclusion is not an abstract concept: "That's exactly the feeling we wanted to create here: a place where no child is excluded, but where everyone plays together." It is inspiring to see how passionately local stakeholders are committed to community spirit in their own neighborhood.
Together we can make a difference.
Prominent figures were also present. Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller emphasized the importance of such places for the city's community. The exchange with Para Athletics World Champion and ambassador of the initiative, Mathias Mester, was particularly moving. He summed it up perfectly: "Sport and play have the power to overcome barriers and strengthen self-confidence."
The financing of this project is just as community-based as playing on the playground: For every P&G product purchased at REWE, one cent goes towards the construction of inclusive playgrounds like the one on Gertrudisplatz. Over four million euros have been raised in this way since 2018.
A place for everyone that we will gladly visit again and again in the future!
We are grateful to have been able to attend the opening of the inclusive playground. The day showed us once again that when we all work together to create spaces where no one is left out, our society grows closer together. Our children from the refugee shelters had an unforgettable day – and we are already looking forward to visiting the playground at Gertrudisplatz again soon with other groups from our projects.
Did you know? Gertrudisplatz in Eller
Would you have guessed that Gertrudisplatz in Eller has such a long history? Long before there were playgrounds or cafes, the square was always the heart of the Eller district. The huge church that stands there is called St. Gertrude's – it was consecrated on March 17, 1901. It looks like an old castle from a fairy tale, doesn't it? The town hall next door was built at the same time as the church – 125 years ago.
Eller used to be a tiny village, and this square was the meeting place for everyone from the surrounding area. If you take a close look at the houses built between 1890 and 1910, you can still see beautiful stucco decorations on the facades. Take a walk and admire these decorations!
Gertrudisplatz is so special that the city of Düsseldorf placed it under monument protection in 1986 to ensure its historical character is preserved forever. Monument protection means that a place or building is treated like a precious treasure. We take good care of it to prevent it from being altered or demolished.
Today, Gertrudisplatz is a vibrant place with cafés where people meet to linger – or to shop at the weekly market. It's a wonderful feeling to play in a square where children played over a hundred years ago. The new inclusive playground now writes a whole new chapter in the history of this beautiful old place. It shows that a historic square can always evolve so that everyone can enjoy themselves together today.