Sports Facility Development in Mönchengladbach: Inclusive Sports and Activity Areas in Focus

Inclusive Sports Facilities: A Response to Societal and Health Challenges

In times of increasing physical inactivity and growing demands for inclusion in public spaces, Mönchengladbach is actively working to develop sports facilities accessible to all age and mobility groups. In April 2026, the expansion of sports facilities will be accelerated as part of the "Small Equipment Sports in Urban Spaces" package of measures, with a focus on the districts of Nord, Ost, Süd, and West.

Expansion of Sports Facilities in the Districts of Nord and Ost

The district of Nord will benefit from the redesign of the green area east of the Wassermatschanlage at the Bunter Garten playground. The planned equipment includes a fitness combo unit, an inclusive chest press, a runner, and a dip bench. The estimated cost for this expansion is approximately €95,000. The district of Ost will receive a new sports area at the Fliederweg playground in Giesenkirchen, where a no longer used beach volleyball court will be repurposed. The area will be equipped with a fitness combo unit, an inclusive bar, a rope trainer, an inclusive chest press, and a balancing system. The estimated cost for this is approximately €97,000.

As part of the planning process, it is also planned to present first insights from the projects in the districts of Nord and Ost before implementation. This allows for evaluation and optimization before the measures are implemented in the districts of Süd and West.

Inclusive Playgrounds as Part of Sports Facility Development

The development of sports facilities is closely linked to inclusion in leisure activities. The city of Mönchengladbach is focusing on intergenerational playgrounds, where children can play while parents or grandparents can train at small sports equipment. An example is the renovation of the playground Am Brückensteg, which is currently in urgent need of renovation. In a children's participation process, ideas for an inclusive design were collected, and the concept was coordinated with children and parents. The renovation, carried out by trainees from the maintenance department of mags, is planned for 2026 and will cost approximately €130,000.

Exemplary Planning and Citizen Participation

The city of Mönchengladbach demonstrates transparency and citizen orientation in the planning of its sports facilities. Decisions on locations and equipment selection are based on an analysis of citizen wishes, which have, for example, been collected through online participation. In addition, barrier-free accessibility and fall protection are taken into account to consider all user groups. The administration is also required to present initial findings before implementation to further optimize the process.

Conclusion: A Step Toward an Inclusive and Active Urban Space

With the package of measures "Small Equipment Sports in Urban Spaces," the city of Mönchengladbach is sending a clear signal for greater mobility and inclusion in the city. The planned sports facilities in the districts of Nord and Ost are just the beginning. With the renovation of playgrounds such as Am Brückensteg and the integration of citizen wishes into the planning process, Mönchengladbach is setting an example for active and inclusive urban development.