Hanoian children enjoy recycled playgrounds

Every afternoon, the "Children's Recycled Playground" in Hoang Lien 2 Residential Area, Lien Mac Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, buzzes with conversation and laughter. 

"There are few public playgrounds for children, so it is our wish to have one that is safe and friendly," said Phuong Thuy, a resident of the ward.

A recycled playground in Lien Mac Ward, Bac Tu Liem District. Photo: Greenhub

The Lien Mac Ward Women's Union came up with the idea to build this playground using recycled materials and equipped with toys made from recycled materials, according to the union's Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hong Huyen.

So far, the playground, which costs nearly VND40 million (US$1,705), has completed all the components, including a four-way seesaw, a tire wall, tables, chairs, and other things. 

Made of durable materials, vividly decorated and suitable for children, this is one of the city's "green playground" models. Huyen said the playground is designed to entertain children and improve their awareness of environmental protection.

In Viet Hung Ward, Long Bien District, a similar model called the "Recycling Playground Corner" has been put into operation thanks to support from a number of residents. 

The local Women's Union said they are working with other organizations in neighboring districts to establish more "Green Living" clubs that treasure environmental protection.

Children play at the Thanh Xuan District's playground. Photo: phunuvietnam.vn

Meanwhile, the Women's Union of Khuong Mai Ward turned a yard in an old apartment building in Thanh Xuan District, which had previously been used as a dump for waste and construction materials, into a playground with flowers. The playground is also equipped with colorful handmade flower pots made from recycled old car tires and many outdoor playthings for kids, like swings, seesaws, and lanterns from plastic bottles and jars.

Over the past few years, locals have tended to decorate playgrounds in their living areas with recycled materials to make the city more environmentally friendly.

In the common drive, the Hanoi Women's Union at all levels has created nearly 500 playgrounds and community activities since 2019. Among them, "green outdoor playgrounds" are regarded as one of their initiatives to use recycled materials fully.

According to a survey conducted in 2022 by a team of researchers from the National Economics University, each household in Hanoi would be ready to spend an average monthly VND60,000 (US$2.3) for an average green area of eight square meters per capita.

The city has 63 parks and flower gardens, mostly in its four districts of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da and Hai Ba Trung. Except for the West Lake Water Park, all of the city's parks and gardens are open to the public free of charge.

Six new parks will be built in the city by 2025, including state-funded Chu Van An Park in Thanh Tri District, which will cover 50.9 hectares, and a park and lake complex in Cau Giay New Urban Area to cover 31.7 hectares. Both projects will be implemented by the Sai Dong Urban Development and Investment Joint Stock Company.

Among 60 parks to be developed by 2030, 18 of them will be brand new, and 42 others are existing ones to be upgraded and renovated.