Water buffalo on the playground
Recently, the friendly and robust animals from Asia can be climbed and petted on the playground at Teltower Straße in Berlin Spandau. They stand vis-a-vis to their true conspecifics in the neighbouring «Tiefwerder Wiesen» landscape conservation area. There a herd of water buffalo was settled there as a ‹natural ranger› for grazing. As the water buffaloes are not always visible on the large areas, the playground invites children from the neighbouring residential area and the nearby day-care centres to get to know the animals, to experience them in movement and role-playing games – and maybe to visit their real fellow species in the area afterwards.
The dominant elements of the 42 × 17 m square are a stable for climbing, sliding and hiding, as well as a varied course for climbing, balancing and handicrafts with reed posts based on the nearby low moorland.
A whole family of water buffaloes and a water buffalo with rocking cart are the eye-catcher of the course. They immediately attract the children in their spell, lying, standing, teetering, as calves, bulls or cows of all ages, these lifelike animal sculptures from SIK-Holz® appeal to them. In between, the young and old visitors can rest on straw bunches or feed troughs.
The playground was handed over to the future users with a small ceremonial opening by District Councillor Frank Bewig. A daycare centre from the neighbourhood will sponsor this playground and will always see to it that it is right.