argia.eus
INPRIMATU
Making a Boring Playground Colourful and Diverse
  • “After taking part in a four-year long process, we opened a new playground at our school. It will give boys and girls the same opportunities, they will be surrounded by nature and it has come from their dreams." This is now the new playground at Kurutziaga School at Durango, Bizkaia, has been. It will be officially opened on 24th April.
Mikel Garcia Idiakez @mikelgi 2018ko apirilaren 19a

They had that seen the external space reflected the usual models: football, five-a-side, basketball and pelota courts took up most of the space, which led to an imbalance of relationships: it was the boys who took up most of the space (they were the ones who played most football), and the girls were left on the stands or the staircases... That model has overcome and the central spaces can be used for multiple purposes to enjoy them in equal opportunities. They believe that in the new areas boys and girls of different ages will have better relationships.

"For external areas and classrooms not to be two isolated areas."

When they had been asked the pupils had requested more natural areas, activities connected with nature and kitchen gardens to play a greater role. This had been acted on by taking advantage of the green areas and trees in the surroundings: "Nature was hardly present. That is why we wanted a space for children and young people to experience their senses, where they can be in direct contact with the changes of the seasons and climatic factors. The aim is for external areas and classrooms not to be two isolated areas, and for them to enrich each other", they explain.

The result is a space in free, symbolic playing is requested. However, the members of the Playground dream ('Dreaming of a Playground') state: "We see this as a dynamic project: doesn't finish here. Children, young people, families and, in particular, teachers will have to make sure that this transforming process does not come to an end."

This article was translated by 11translations; you can see the original in Basque here.