Egyptian playground in Bergedorf

Issue 3: Like Egypt, but wood. On the last issue of 2020 we visit a solid wooden playground that's in-your-face Egyptian, trying not to get beamed by a flying camel or bounce yourself into a bench.

Sending this out on the last day of the year is symbolic of something. If you have any idea what that something might be, feel free to let me know with a comment. This isn’t the Wasserspielplatz I promised in the footer of Issue 2. Do comment if you care, your feedback is important. The water feature is coming, be sure to subscibe.

Tucked in the shadow of a tall apartment complex is this quirky wooden Spielplatz with an Egyptian theme. This is a great specimen made from Massivholz (solid wood). Like many natural materials being adapted to the will of man, builders come in with a plan, but it’s probably a loose plan, and you have to be willing to adapt to changing circumstances.

Egyptian horses were a thing

That’s how I am going into 2021. With a loose plan and a 1000 yard stare as blank as this wooden horse.

Like Egypt, but wood.

There’s a bit of irony in paying homage to Egypt with timber. The predominantly desert empire wasn’t know for it’s forests — although today researchers have managed to harness wastewater to feed man-made forests in the drylands.

From the street it was hard to tell if this was public, or a Privatspielplatz belonging to the complex.

Unguarded spinning bucket

The hand carved wooden rockers are usually very prominent theme pieces. Along with tubular steel slides, Germany has an undeniable aptitiude for coil springs. The assemblies use of metal, plastic and wood is practical, long lasting fun.

Hand carved sphinx form, preserving a forgotten art

Smooth camel rocker.

Log swingset with metal ground piles. I guess this would be for easier installation, height adjustment and to prevent rotting. See also in-ground trampoline and a nice Rundbank or round bench.

An homage to the great pyramids of Giza

The anchor here is a climbable timber tip with steps, rope ladder, climbing holds and a wreck-yourself rope bridge. If you grow up near here, odds are you can climb like Alex Honnold.

A climbing focused anchor piece with metal pilings

Hand painted details that scream IT’S EGYPT

Ending with an interesting new type of structure I’ve seen here. It’s like some sort of 1-3 person covering on a platform. This strikes me as less Egyptian and more of a modern convenience.

A smoke shack?

I picture children exercising their right to play in pissing rain, a bemused adult stands bemusedly in under the cover. Like it or not, the kid will have to keep playing until the rain lets up. There’s a metaphor here somewhere too.

Have fun in the new year.