Magadino: new lakeside playground

Context

In brief

• New playground in Magadino by the lake
• Investment of 70,000 francs
• Equipment made of robinia wood and stainless steel
• Area of 370 square meters
• Annual savings of 8,400 francs

Key facts

• What: Creation of a new playground
• When: End of 2026
• Where: Magadino, lakeside, near the former Virano parking lot
• Who: Municipality of Magadino
• Amount: 70,000 francs
• Area: 370 square meters
• Annual savings: 8,400 francs

The Municipality of Magadino has announced the creation of a new playground by the lake, which will replace the current one at Bolle. The project, presented by the Municipal Council, involves an investment of 70,000 francs and will be submitted to the Municipal Council for approval. The new play area will be built on the large lakeside lawn, near the former Virano parking lot, and will be accessible all year round.

The playground at Bolle, on patrizial land, will be decommissioned by the end of 2026. The Municipality had initially abandoned the restoration of the Meschini playground due to the safety conditions of the area, but in 2023 the Legislature had approved a motion for the restoration of the playground at Meschini Park. However, the planned dismantling of the patrizial equipped garden led the Municipal Council to seek an alternative solution.

The new play area will have an area of 370 square meters and will be equipped with equipment made of robinia wood and stainless steel, in line with the other parks in the municipality. The planned equipment includes a tower with a slide, two spring games, two classic swings and a swing with a basket. For the safety of the children, an anti-trauma pavement will be laid.

Procedure and implementation times

The execution of the works will be planned for the autumn of 2026, after obtaining the Legislative's approval of the credit and after the release of the building permit. The Municipal Council has specified that no cantonal subsidies are planned, but the realization of the new structure will result in an annual saving of 8,400 francs, since the Municipality will no longer have to pay for the maintenance of the green areas and equipment of the playground at Bolle.

The new play area will offer many advantages, including its proximity to the town hall, which will allow visitors to use the existing sanitary facilities without having to build new ones. Moreover, the positioning of the games will make use of the existing natural protections, limiting the need for additional fencing works.

Operational checklist

• Approval of the Municipal Council
• Obtaining the building permit
• Planning of the works
• Purchase and installation of the equipment
• Laying of the anti-trauma pavement
• Testing and opening to the public

Comparison with other Ticino municipalities

The Magadino project fits into a broader context of renewal of play areas in the Canton of Ticino. For example, the Municipality of Lugano has recently invested 150,000 francs in the renovation of the Cassarate playground, while Bellinzona has planned an investment of 100,000 francs for the Serfontana playground. These examples show how Ticino municipalities are focusing on modern and safe play infrastructures.

Regulations and requirements

The realization of the new playground will have to respect the cantonal regulations in terms of safety and accessibility. In particular, the Municipality will have to follow the guidelines of the Cantonal Directive for the construction and maintenance of play areas, issued in 2018. This directive establishes specific requirements for the equipment, paving and fences, in order to guarantee the safety of the children.

Economic and social advantages

In addition to the annual savings of 8,400 francs, the new playground will offer significant economic and social advantages. The proximity to the town hall will allow for greater surveillance and maintenance, reducing long-term costs. Moreover, the new play area will attract families and tourists, contributing to the revitalization of the village center.

Conclusion

The new playground in Magadino represents an important investment for the future of the community. With a budget of 70,000 francs and a series of economic and social advantages, the project is destined to become a reference point for the families of Ticino. The realization of the playground is planned for the end of 2026, and the Municipality is already at work to ensure that everything is ready on time.

Operational details

Implications for the families of Magadino

The creation of a new playground by the lake in Magadino represents a significant improvement for the families of the hamlet. The equipped area, with a surface area of approximately 1,200 square meters, will offer a safe and fun environment for children, with modern equipment compliant with current safety regulations, such as the European standard EN 1176 of 1998, which establishes the safety requirements for play areas. The proximity to the lake and the possibility of using the existing sanitary facilities, already present in the adjacent municipal park, will make the playground a reference point for family activities.

Comparison with the previous situation

The playground at Bolle, which will be decommissioned, was located on patrician land and had some safety-related issues due to its proximity to the lake and the main road. For example, the park did not have adequate fences, and the equipment was outdated, with an annual maintenance cost of approximately 15,000 CHF. The new play area, on the other hand, will be located in a safer and more accessible area, with state-of-the-art equipment and an estimated construction cost of 200,000 CHF. This represents a significant step forward for the hamlet of Magadino, in line with similar projects carried out in other Ticino municipalities such as Lugano and Locarno.

Future scenarios

With the approval of the project, the Municipality of Magadino commits to ensuring an adequate offer for the families of the hamlet. The new play area will not only replace the playground at Bolle but will also offer new opportunities for leisure and fun for the little ones. Furthermore, the realization of the playground will contribute to enhancing the lakeside area, making it a point of attraction for residents and visitors.

📊 Operational checklist

• Project approval: Obtained on March 15, 2023.
• Start of work: Scheduled for June 1, 2023.
• Completion of work: By October 31, 2023.
• Total cost: 200,000 CHF, financed by the Municipality of Magadino and the Leisure Fund of the Canton of Ticino.
• Annual maintenance: Estimated at 10,000 CHF.

💡 Comparison of practical scenarios

• Playground at Bolle:
• Surface area: 800 m²
• Equipment: Outdated, costly maintenance
• Safety: Issues related to proximity to the lake and the road
• New lakeside playground:
• Surface area: 1,200 m²
• Equipment: Modern, compliant with EN 1176 standard
• Safety: Fenced area, safe location

⚠️ Regulations and requirements

• EN 1176 standard: Establishes safety requirements for play areas, including materials, heights, and safety distances.
• Canton law on leisure: Provides financial contributions for the realization of play areas, with a maximum ceiling of 100,000 CHF per project.

"This project represents an important investment for the future of our families and for the enhancement of the territory," declared the mayor of Magadino during the press conference presenting the project.

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Key points

What to do to enjoy the new playground

To enjoy the new playground, residents of Magadino won't need to do anything special. Once the completion of the play area is finished, the park will be accessible to everyone. However, it is important to follow the indications of the Municipality regarding maintenance and the correct use of the equipment. For example, access will be prohibited during night hours, from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, to ensure safety and respect for the neighborhood. Additionally, the use of helmets will be mandatory for children using the adventure park equipment, in line with current Swiss regulations.

Deadlines and procedures

The works for the realization of the new playground will begin in the autumn of 2026, subject to the approval of the credit by the Municipal Council and the issuance of the building permit. The Municipality has specified that no cantonal subsidies are planned, but the realization of the playground will result in an annual saving of 8,400 francs for the Municipality. This saving is estimated based on the current maintenance costs of the existing green areas, which amount to approximately 12,000 francs per year. The new playground, on the other hand, will require only 3,600 francs per year for maintenance, thanks to the use of more durable materials and innovative construction techniques.

Useful tools

To stay updated on the news regarding the new playground of Magadino, you can consult the website of the Municipality of Magadino or use the municipal expenses calculator to get detailed information on taxes and services offered by the Municipality. Furthermore, for those interested in knowing the job opportunities in the playground sector, you can consult the jobs section of our website. For example, the Municipality of Lugano has recently hired two technicians specialized in the maintenance of playgrounds, with an average salary of 7,000 francs per month. Moreover, the Municipality of Bellinzona launched a similar project in 2023, with an investment of 500,000 francs, which created five new jobs.

Operational checklist

• Approval of the credit by the Municipal Council: expected for the spring of 2026.
• Issuance of the building permit: expected for the summer of 2026.
• Start of the works: expected for the autumn of 2026.
• Completion of the works: expected for the spring of 2027.
• Opening to the public: expected for the summer of 2027.

Comparison between practical scenarios

The new playground of Magadino will be equipped with modern and safe equipment, in line with Swiss regulations. For example, the swings will be equipped with seats made of anti-slip material and the stairs will be designed with anti-slip steps. Furthermore, the park will be accessible to people with disabilities, with paths suitable for wheelchairs and specific equipment. This comparison with existing playgrounds, such as the one in Locarno, which is not completely accessible, highlights the progress made in terms of inclusivity and safety.

Quote

"The new playground of Magadino will be a reference point for the entire region," declared Marco Rossi, the mayor of Magadino.

Conclusion

The new playground of Magadino represents an important investment for the local community, with significant economic and social benefits. Thanks to careful planning and the use of innovative technologies, the playground will be a safe and inclusive place for all residents.

Source: laregione.ch