Home

Latest News

15 October 2024

GGR Urban Play - Umeå celebrates nature with play and movement

GGR Urban Play - Umeå celebrates nature with play and movement

Umeå kommun invited its residents on 8 October to join for an afternoon of play at a new pocket park along the Bölevägen green route. Notably a school class from the English International School enjoyed the festivities. 

The Bölevägen route has recently been redeveloped as part of GoGreenRoutes, an EU funded research project which explores how “nature-based solutions” can improve the physical and mental wellbeing of urban residents. Covering a distance of 1.5 km, the route is lined with houses, schools, pre-schools, elderly care homes, companies and businesses. Recently, a new bridge was built over the river for pedestrians and cyclists, however it is still not a pleasant walkway, as drivers pass by at speed and the street partly lacks sidewalks. Umeå kommun are exploring how to turn Bölevägen into a public green space that encourages active travel, where residents feel safe at all times and where street signage clearly indicates that walking and biking are prioritized transport modes.

To celebrate this new public green space, a free event was co-hosted by Umeå kommun and A Playful City, a not-for-profit organisation who work to create more playful, healthy and inclusive places for all. Despite the bad weather, locals dropped in to see us, including a very cute dog who enjoyed the tennis balls! 

Along with playing a series of interactive games, attendees had an opportunity to learn more about the GoGreenRoutes project in Umeå, and the 5 other European cities it has worked in.The children got to listen to a concert from local musicians Magda Andersson and Evelin Rolon, who sang and played the harp at the event. The children particularly enjoyed experiencing the Irish game of hurling, with lots of them practicing their 'soloing' skills to see how many times they could bounce the ball on the hurl. 

GoGreenRoutes and Umeå were glad to bring together citizens of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate nature in the city and find joy in play and movement.

Stay tuned for upcoming Playful Cities events in more GoGreenRoutes Cities!