Gia Lộc

Students at the architecture faculty of Huế College of Sciences have designed an “eco-playground” to develop children’s motor skills and provide free access for disadvantaged kids.

The playground’s rocking horses, zipline and other pieces of equipment are all made from recycled tyres, empty bottles, rope or wood and other materials.

Located in Ngọ Môn Square, the Playstreet project playground was based on an idea from the Think Playground Group in Hà Nội.

Nguyễn Đăng Hoàng Hải, head of the students’ Viên Gạch Hồng (Pink Brick) Club, says the students design, make and maintain the equipment.

“They also develop skills in looking for sponsorship and negotiation because they must buy recycled materials at cheap prices,” he says.

“Huế has a shortage of playgrounds. These handmade items of recycled materials are uncommon here.”

At the playground, students can play traditional games such as skipping rope, hopscotch and monkey bridge.

“It’s important that poor children have access to these areas,” he says.

The playground, which ran out of sponsored funding last year, had to stop operating for a while but the students resumed operation in March after finding another sponsor.

The student club is also building playgrounds at Hiền Sỹ Kindergarten, Tịnh Trúc Gia Welfare Centre for Children with Disabilities, and the Cultural House in Kim Long Ward.

The club has other projects, including an organic vegetable garden at the Xuân Phú Welfare Centre for Disadvantaged Children and Orphans.

 “We’re happy that children are coming to the playground. They’re excited about our project,” Hải says. VNS