Ida Ismail
Tirana no longer has playgrounds, as some of the spaces dedicated to children have been replaced by new buildings, while the existing ones are depreciated.
In some of the most populated areas of Tirana, parents complain that playgrounds are few and unsafe, as they are not up to standards. Drita, a mother of two, says that existing spaces for children's entertainment have disappeared, to make way for construction: "Here in the Ali Demi Field area, we had a playground and a children's playground. Unfortunately, both collapsed and a palace is being built. The children no longer have anywhere to play."
A few meters away is another playground, but according to residents it does not even meet minimum safety standards. The slides and swings are damaged and the floor is made of concrete.
Ana, another mother, expresses concern: "I go out here every afternoon with my son, but these are not playgrounds. First, it should be green space and not concrete. Here the child could fall and hit the concrete and have health consequences."
The same situation is present in other areas of the capital. Eda, a resident of Don Bosko, says: "There is no space to play in front of the buildings, no playgrounds. We are forced to take them to facilities with paid toys, but they are expensive. Children are growing up on phone and TV screens."
According to health specialists, the lack of physical activity in nature contributes to the increase in cases of obesity, social isolation and addiction to technology. Pediatrician Loreta Gjoni says: "Studies show that when children play in an open environment, they have better physical, mental and emotional health, and they even learn better. Their emotional intelligence develops through play."
Erion Veliaj's promises for playgrounds
In 2016, the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, promised to transform public spaces for children. In those years, Veliaj declared: “Children living in Tirana will have the opportunity to use 12 playgrounds to have fun and spend their free time. It will be the first day where children will no longer ask to go to shopping malls to play because it is neither healthy nor natural, but will ask to go to the park, in the shade, safely and with all the conditions”. Later, the Municipality of Tirana declared that by 2018, 36 playgrounds had been built, most of them with funds from foreign donors.
One of the most promoted projects was the “7 Xhuxhat” park on Elbasani Street. At its inauguration, Veliaj said that “7 Xhuxhat” was turned from a private space into a public space with parking underneath for parents and games for children.
But today, some playgrounds face serious maintenance problems. In the “7 Dwarves” park, promoted as a model of public spaces for children, all the playpens are damaged. Parents report a lack of disinfection, as rodents move freely among the toys and green spaces, raising concerns about the risk of infections and diseases.
The Municipality of Tirana and the Parks and Recreation Agency continue to publicly state that their teams are on the ground every day maintaining public spaces. However, the facts on the ground show a different picture.
The standards that a playground must meet. According to the European standard EN 1176 for playground safety, any such space must guarantee:
- Absorbent flooring such as sand, fine gravel, rubber mats or synthetic materials that cushion shocks;
- Safety distance between devices to avoid collisions;
- Equipment appropriate for the age of the children and free of dangerous elements;
- Periodic inspections and maintenance.
However, most playgrounds in Tirana lack protective materials and the surfaces are covered with concrete or asphalt, significantly increasing the risk of injuries.
Tirana Municipality "silent" about maintenance costs and funds
Faced with questions about the total number of playgrounds, construction costs, and maintenance funds, the Municipality of Tirana refuses to provide answers.
The institution delegates responsibility to the General Directorate of Cleaning and Greening, which in its response explains: "We carry out activities in the administration, addition, maintenance, development and cleaning of greenery, flower beds, fountains, as well as other Services determined in function of cleaning and greening the city."
As for the information requested on playgrounds, the General Directorate of Cleaning and Greening underlines that it is outside its scope of competence.
However, data from previously published by ACQJ show that during the period 2018-2022, about 22 million lek were spent on playground maintenance. The current situation on the ground raises questions about the effectiveness of these expenditures.
KLSH: 32 playgrounds in Tirana are substandard
The problems identified on the ground have also been confirmed by the Supreme State Audit Office (SSA) audit of recreational parks and playgrounds in the capital.
According to the 2019 audit report, the Supreme State Audit Office has concluded that 32 playgrounds in the capital do not meet the necessary conditions and standards.
One of the most worrying findings is related to the ratio between the number of children and existing spaces. According to the Albanian Supreme Audit Office, 32 completed and in-progress playgrounds have an average density of 4.408 residents aged 0-14 using one playground. The report also states that existing playgrounds have been identified. which are completely depreciated and the Parks and Recreation Agency has not taken any initiative to repair and return them to a functional state. \
The Supreme State Audit Office has recommended to the Municipality of Tirana the drafting of a medium-term plan for the development of playgrounds and the identification of new public spaces for the benefit of children and the community, however, even after 7 years, the situation remains problematic.
As the capital continues its unstoppable urban expansion and the Municipality of Tirana promotes investments in public spaces, many families face every day the lack of places where children can play safely. In many neighborhoods of the capital, playgrounds are missing, toys are damaged, floors are made of concrete and public spaces are being replaced by new construction./acqj.al
