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Trampoline jumping in the allotment garden: For some, relaxation in pandemic times, for others, impermissible surface sealing
Photo: Rachel Annie Bell / Cavan Images RF / Getty Images
Family father Sebastian Jost (34) doesn't understand: In times of lockdown, his leased garden was a valuable last refuge for his four children when playgrounds and sports facilities were closed.
At least there the children could move about freely, including on the trampoline that was set up there.
But then a few weeks ago he saw the notice of his gardening association on the notice board: Trampolines are surface sealing and not play equipment for small children - and therefore have no business in the gardens.
Jost sees it differently: "The rain is dripping through the jumping mat, the surface is not sealed."
He also does not want to leave the argument that it is a question of play equipment for older children and adults: »The age recommendation on the equipment is from three years of age.
TÜV Rheinland classifies them as children's play equipment. «Jost's children are between two and eight years old.
Thirdly, the city argues that trampolines do not correspond to »allotment gardening«, that is, fruit and vegetable production and recreation.
"The city itself writes elsewhere that the use of the allotment gardens has changed and the gardens are also used for leisure," says Jost.
In addition, despite the trampoline, he is a presentable self-sufficient and allotment gardener.
Now Jost has started a petition with which he wants to force the city to deal with the subject again.
1300 people have already signed it - over 900 of them from Düsseldorf.
However, 3600 signatories from Düsseldorf are required to create the quorum.
Should that not succeed, he would even let it come down to a legal dispute, says Jost: “Trampolines are portable.
After all, I don't need a permit for a table. ”Of course, he would prefer the city to abandon its request to ban the trampolines.
dpa / dak