Maribor gets new playgrounds: Floor sculptures will encourage children to move and play

Maribor is set to transform its school playgrounds into vibrant hubs of play and learning with new custom-designed floor paintings aimed at fostering social interaction and physical activity among children. The initiative, part of the city’s participatory budgeting program, has already begun with the primary school Janka Padežnika, which received its new floor art this week. Over the coming weeks, similar projects will unfold across multiple schools and kindergartens throughout the city. The project was proposed by Maribor’s cultural center Tanja Cvitko and gained enough public support through the participatory budgeting process to move forward. It involves collaboration between the City of Maribor, local schools, and kindergartens, with input gathered directly from students. The list of institutions receiving the floor paintings includes OŠ Kamnica, OŠ Martina Konšaka, OŠ Leona Štuklja, OŠ Angela Besednjaka, OŠ Draga Kobala, OŠ Toneta Čufarja, OŠ Malečnik, areas near OŠ Tabor 1, locations near the library Nova Vas, kindergarten Ivana Glinška (“the red kindergarten”) on Gregoričeva Street, and the Playgrounds in Ertlova Forest. Some of these sites will also receive wall murals created by local artist and graffiti artist Teo Ivančič, known as “Teoson.” The implementation of the project is being carried out by the association Project Plus over the course of three months. Work is scheduled to continue each weekend, weather permitting, with some locations already receiving attention. For instance, the upcoming weekends will see work at OŠ Draga Kobala and OŠ Toneta Čufarja, followed by OŠ Malečnik and the Playgrounds in Ertlova Forest. The total investment, including tax, amounts to €39,800, according to Aljoša Kirič, head of the participatory budgeting program at the City of Maribor. He stated that all designated locations should be completed by the end of September, possibly earlier. The floor paintings are designed specifically to accommodate children with dyslexia and feature special coatings that make them slip-resistant, resistant to ultraviolet light, and durable. These characteristics ensure the artworks can withstand heavy use and last up to eight years. Each painting requires careful application, involving three layers of paint, which explains why the creation of the artwork at OŠ Janka Padežnika took four hours. This meticulous approach ensures that the designs remain vibrant and functional for many years to come. The initiative aims to provide children with long-term opportunities for play, movement, and socialization. The specially chosen colors and patterns are intended to stimulate sensory engagement while promoting inclusivity. The project reflects a broader effort by the City of Maribor to enhance public spaces and promote community involvement in urban planning decisions. By incorporating direct feedback from both educators and students, the city hopes to create environments that are not only visually appealing but also beneficial for child development. The first phase of the project has already sparked interest among parents and teachers, who appreciate the focus on interactive and educational elements within the playground design. As more schools and kindergartens begin to see their grounds transformed, the impact of the initiative is expected to grow. With the completion of all planned locations anticipated by late September, the city looks forward to seeing how these new additions contribute to the daily lives of Maribor's youth.