Yerevan Unveils First Inclusive, Eco-Friendly Playground for Children of All Ages

On September 21, Yerevan unveiled its largest next-generation public playground, covering 2,000 square meters in the 6th section of the Circular Park. The new playground is the first of three planned projects by the Keron Development Foundation in partnership with the Kentron Administrative District. This initiative is the city’s first international-standard public playground designed for all children, including those with physical disabilities.

The playground project began in May, when the Keron Development Foundation and the Kentron Administrative District signed a memorandum of understanding to build three new public playgrounds in Yerevan. Each playground is designed as a story-driven environment to inspire movement, exploration, and inclusive play.

The first playground, themed “Secrets of the Hidden River,” is inspired by an imaginary water world. Waves, fish, and islands emerge from the landscape, centered around Karmrakhayt, a red-spotted trout native to Armenia’s rivers. This sculptural play structure stretches eight meters and forms part of a 27-meter-long complex with suspended wave-like nets. Children can climb inside the fish, navigate internal obstacle routes, and slide into new play zones. The main climbing net can hold over 30 children at once, allowing vertical and social play.

Soft geoplastic hills and mounds provide varied physical challenges, while swinging elements, tactile sculptures, and interactive zones encourage creative games and shared exploration. The playground caters to children of all age groups, from 0–3, 4–7, and 7–12, offering activities appropriate for every stage of development.

The Karmrakhayt playground is fully accessible, following international standards to include children of all abilities. Features include:

Barrier-free layout for wheelchairs and mobility aids

• Unified play structures with no segregation

• Braille signage and tactile zones

• Inclusive equipment such as nest swings, hammocks, tunnels, and gentle slopes

• Safe surfaces with shock-absorbing materials

• Rest areas with seating and shade

The design encourages social interaction, collaboration, and equal access to play, ensuring that every child can enjoy physical activity and imaginative games.

Located next to Yerevan’s main skatepark, the playground is the city’s first public space designed for families with children of different ages. Toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers on skateboards can all find areas suited to their activities. Parents and caregivers benefit from strategically placed seating, shaded zones near toddler areas, and phone charging stations. Evening lighting allows safe play after sunset, with glowing pearl-shaped fixtures adding a magical atmosphere at night.

Safety was a key priority in the playground’s design. Natural river pebbles provide soft surfacing, cushioned in layers of 10–30 cm. EPDM rubber is used in high-impact areas, meeting European safety standards. All equipment comes from leading Eastern and Western European manufacturers, installed with fall protection in mind. Perimeter landscaping with shrubs creates a soft, safe boundary without harsh fences.

The playground also emphasizes eco-responsibility. Over 100 tons of natural river pebbles were used, 40% of materials are recycled—including 33% from ocean plastics—and more than 50% of structures are made from natural wood. Irrigation occurs during non-play hours to preserve greenery, and permeable surfaces blend naturally with the Circular Park. Green spaces are fully preserved, and play areas harmonize with the park’s natural surroundings.

The project involved both international and local experts. UrUrban handled concept design and supervision, while DSVent managed construction and engineering. The playground is designed not just as a recreational space but as an environment that nurtures children’s imagination, supports physical development, and promotes social inclusion.

With this first playground now open, Yerevan is setting a new standard for public recreational spaces that are inclusive, safe, and environmentally conscious.

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