Thuringia's first parkour facility opens in Jena North

Children and young people had to persevere for the construction of the parkour facility in Jena North. After the desire for such a facility was formulated at a youth conference in 2017, it took five years to actually realize it. "The opening of the parkour fulfills a long-held wish of young people. At the youth conference in North in January 2017, the main topic of discussion was the desire for a parkour in the district. The participation of children and young people is very important to us as a city - it sometimes takes time (finding space, providing funding) - but it's worth it for everyone involved!" says Head of Social Affairs Eberhard Hertzsch.

Mayor Christian Gerlitz adds: "The search for a site proved to be extremely difficult. The aim was to set up the parkour facility in Jena-Nord. Over the years, a total of seven sites were examined and rejected. It was therefore all the more pleasing when the decision on the final location on Camburger Straße was made at the beginning of 2021. The project was supported across the board by the city administration and the municipal utilities. To make the first parkour facility in Thuringia possible, everyone had to work hand in hand. A real joint effort."

The Montessori school playground is open to children and young people from the city in the afternoons. This location has therefore proved to be ideal. There are currently 1,500 children aged between 10 and 18 living in the Jena-Nord district.

The sport of parkour developed in France in the 1990s. In urban areas, the aim is to overcome obstacles effectively, quickly and elegantly without any aids. The movements are demanding and motorically complex. However, safety is an important issue for the athletes - known as traceurs. Every movement, every jump is repeated and consolidated through training. This develops the skills of self-reflection and self-assessment.

"It is precisely these important repetitive movements and versatile techniques that can be practiced safely and holistically on our certified parkour facility. The facility is aimed specifically at older children and young people who have already outgrown the range of activities on offer in playgrounds. The demand for such activities is correspondingly high. We are delighted that this very specific project has emerged from the young people's participation process, the implementation of which was closely supported by the sports department of the city administration," emphasizes sports department head Benjamin Koppe.

The construction costs for the project amount to €140,000.

A parkour group has been active in Jena since 2010 and previously only had the opportunity to practice their sport in public spaces. Inga Riedel , the director of the polaris youth education center, has accompanied the process since the first youth conference and has always involved the young people in the planning.

"Even though it took a long time, we are very happy about the implementation!" she says.