An inclusive playground sends a strong signal for the district.
The inclusive playground Schmetterlingswiesen (Butterfly Meadows) in Berlin-Biesdorf was initially opened for children in December 2024. The official inauguration followed in October 2025 as part of Berlin Playground Day, with District Mayor Nadja Zivkovic, representatives from politics and administration, and Kaiser & Kühne in attendance.
For us as manufacturers, it is always a strong sign when a district so clearly focuses on inclusion, quality and durability. The butterfly meadows impressively demonstrate what can be achieved when planners, administrators and manufacturers consistently work towards the same goal: a playground that excludes no one.
Inclusion that works in everyday life.
From the outset, the playground was designed to be an inclusive space. Many areas are accessible, allowing children in wheelchairs to actively participate in play – not on the sidelines, but right in the middle of things. This project demonstrates very clearly how we understand inclusion on playgrounds – in line with our concepts for inclusive play areas.
One example is the large slide in the accessible area:
- an extended run-off area,
- a special carpet flooring that is suitable for wheelchairs,
- and a transfer area on the platform that allows independent transfer from the wheelchair to the slide.
Such details are not immediately apparent – but they determine whether inclusion is actually practised or only exists on paper.
In addition, a well-thought-out zoning concept – including a ‘toddler filter’ – ensures that younger children can play safely without accidentally entering areas intended for older children. Safety, play value and inclusion are deliberately intertwined here.
High-quality materials for a busy neighbourhood location.
In an urban environment with high usage, robust, low-maintenance materials are particularly important. Many elements typical of Kaiser & Kühne are used at the Schmetterlingswiesen:
- Stainless steel stand posts for maximum stability and corrosion resistance
- HPL panels in 24 vibrant colours that not only add visual accents but are also extremely durable
- Robinia wood in a high resistance class, for long-lasting durability in outdoor areas
- Hercules ropes with steel strands and durable stainless steel chains for safe, long-lasting exercise options
The materials used and construction details follow the same high standards that we document in our quality seals. The result is a playground that strikes a balance between intensive daily use, high safety standards and a very modern, inviting appearance.
Children’s participation was taken seriously.
The consistent involvement of the children was particularly impressive. The future users were actively asked:
What should your playground be able to do? How do you want to play? What is important to you?
Based on these wishes, several concepts from different manufacturers were submitted – and the children made the final decision themselves. We are naturally delighted that the design that was ultimately chosen was the one implemented in our play equipment. But even more important is the message behind it: children are taken seriously as experts on their own living spaces.
Conclusion:
The butterfly meadows as an inclusive playground in Berlin are much more than just a new place to play: they stand for active inclusion, genuine child participation and high-quality design in urban spaces – and we at Kaiser & Kühne are proud to be part of this project with our play equipment.
You can find more impressions of the opening and the 3rd German Playground Day at the butterfly meadows in our article on the day of action.
