Small parks with playgrounds are vital spaces of everyday community life. They are shared by children of different ages and different definitions of play, as well as their parents, teenagers, older residents, and passers-by. Unfortunately, most playgrounds are still designed without comprehensive spatial thinking; without understanding of the wider context of the site, the needs of its users, or the importance of shade, water and accessibility for all.

Park Pod lipami sits at the heart of Dečkovo neighbourhood, between a row of low-rise modernist apartment blocks and the local kindergarten. Beyond its outdated equipment and occasional friction between users, the site is defined by a rich canopy of mature trees and a heavy clay soil that drains slowly and pools with water after heavy rain. It was precisely this reading of the site's social, spatial and environmental context that led to a compelling local park for every group of users.

The playground as a multigenerational space

Individual age groups can identify their own zones within the park, yet these remain interconnected.

The sandpit for the youngest children is positioned alongside a long bench and communal tables, allowing caregivers to remain close to play while staying connected to other adults in the park. Climbing structures for older children and the sports area are placed slightly apart, reducing friction between different modes of activity. At the centre, tables and benches form a shared  space for observing and informal encounters, with views extending across the entire park. New paths structure movement through the park and invite circular walks.

Park as a climate-resilient space

Play equipment for the youngest children and the seating are tucked into the shade of existing trees. Given the site's tendency to retain water, unpaved surfaces were prioritised throughout. The least usable, water-saturated area is designed as a landscaped microhabitat with planting and a rainwater retention basin. Material excavated for the basin was used to raise the small hill so beloved by children. Together with a drinking fountain and the deliberate use of tree shade, the park offers a refuge from the summer heat.

Pod lipami shows that even a small neighbourhood park can become an important carrier of relationships within the community. Through a close reading of the site, a genuine understanding of local needs and careful planning, we created a space that subtly choreographs the relationships between its users, without ever physically dividing them.