In collaboration with Bobrek residents, we developed a concept for transforming an unused football field into a recreational area through a co-design process. Our approach was guided by the themes of ‘Citizenship and Governance’ and ‘Sustainable Living’. The concept emphasizes functional zoning that balances the community’s need for active recreation, leisure, relaxation, and the protection of natural assets.
In course of various participatory activities, we identified that young people were the most overlooked group in terms of available outdoor infrastructure. Yet, they were highly active and eager for change. They expressed a strong desire for a calisthenics yard to support physical exercise. Since the project framework did not allow for the construction of new infrastructure, we proposed an alternative: they could pursue this goal through a different track. Each year, the town of Cieszyn holds a civic budget grant competition. We encouraged the youth to submit a formal proposal for a calisthenics yard and offered to assist them in this process. This activity has been chosen as a creative tool to measure young people engagement in local community life. It also serves as a manifestation of their initiative and empowerment.
Two representatives of youngsters wrote the project for calisthenics yard based on previously co-created recreation site development concept. The project was approved by the municipality to proceed to the voting stage. At that point, the two youth engaged their peers to support the effort. One created a promotional poster, while others encouraged their friends to support the action with their votes. This creative tool has proven to be not only an effective measure of youth engagement but also a successful challenge itself. We are now working with the young people to create a promotion strategy to enhance their chances of winning the civic budget and realizing their project in Bobrek.
Recreation site development concept with marked area for calisthenics yard:
Youth project of calisthenics yard – equipment layout:
