The "Stück zum Glück" initiative from Aktion Mensch, REWE and Procter & Gamble has inaugurated an inclusive playground in Cottbus together with the Fürst-Pückler-Museum Park and Castle Branitz Foundation. In attendance: over 100 children playing.
"Stück zum Glück" is realising new inclusive playground projects across Germany or expanding or converting existing playgrounds so that they can be used by all children - with or without disabilities. Since the initiative was launched six years ago, over 50 inclusive playground projects have been created, creating places that enable children with and without disabilities to play together on an equal footing. Play equipment that supports children's development in terms of cognitive, coordination, motor and social skills ensures shared experiences and participation. 
In addition to Jürgen Dusel, the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to People with Disabilities and patron of the Fürst-Pückler playground project, over 100 children were also present. Representatives from "Stück zum Glück" and para-athletics world champion Mathias Mester - a supporter of the "Stück zum Glück" initiative - were also present at the playground opening.
"For inclusion to succeed, we need to create more places for people with and without disabilities to meet - and that starts with the youngest children. This project is a role model, as it is one of the few inclusive playground projects in the east of Germany to date. The fact that the playground has been created in the wonderful historic Branitz Park shows how closely culture and inclusion belong together - which is also in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Germany ratified in 2009 and which must now be implemented," emphasised Jürgen Dusel.
The inclusive playground at the Branitzer Gutsökonomie is the largest playground realised by "Stück zum Glück" in Brandenburg to date. An element developed especially for this location makes it absolutely unique: a climbing pyramid made of durable local robinia was designed especially for this playground together with children from Cottbus' Fröbel kindergartens and takes its design cues from the famous Branitz pyramid.
Daniel Kniel, Managing Director of REWE Ware, emphasises the importance of the project: "Children play a key role in shaping our future. That is why it is important to us that we encourage all children and support them in their development. We at REWE are delighted to be working with P&G and Aktion Mensch to make an important contribution to children's leisure activities and motor and social development by supporting the construction of inclusive playgrounds."
