Playground 'The Old Mine Theme playground in Maximilianpark Hamm

Playing has traditionally been very important in Maximilianpark. For the park's 25th anniversary in 2009, the existing offer was to be supplemented by a further attraction. Within the framework of a multiple commission, B.S.L. landscape architects from Soest convinced the supervisory board of Maximilianpark Hamm GmbH with their concept "The Old Mine".

"The old mine" ties in with the past of Maximilianpark as a former colliery site and playfully implements elements of mining. These include shafts, seams, galleries, winding towers, water drainage, coal washing, tracks, pumping stations and, of course, the tension between above and below ground. In total, this results in five playable levels.

B.S.L. made a special demand on itself: "The old mine" should offer as wide a range as possible for mobility-impaired children. Ideally, wheelchair children should be in the middle and be able to participate in (almost) all play.

In fact, three of the five levels are accessible by wheelchair without barriers and hold play offers ready, which are of course also usable for wheelchair users. This ranges from mud and water offers on the "above ground level" to sand lifts, sieves and water dispensers on the first level of the Fördertum and play offers on the "underground level". In addition to the actual play opportunities, it is a great feature that children in wheelchairs can independently access different levels in the middle of a play landscape. Precisely because the external appearance does not allow any conclusions to be drawn here, a truly inclusive playground has been created.

"The old mine" was sponsored by the Karl Bröcker Foundation, Lippstadt. The play equipment and the appearance were developed in cooperation with SIK-Holz, Langenlipsdorf.