Shaping the active communities of tomorrow: design with fun, fitness and purpose

15 of April '25

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From the series "Sports, recreational facilities - trends 2025"

An important transformation is taking place in the changing landscape of public space design. A playground is no longer just for children, and an outdoor gym is not just for athletes. These spaces have become multifunctional, inclusive and consciously designed environments - places where play, movement and social relationships intersect, and are shaped by architecture, materials and the surrounding landscape.

Where architecture, movement and material innovation meet

As cities, schools and neighborhoods rethink their approach to outdoor infrastructure, 2025 becomes a moment of redefinition. Architects are setting the stage by designing spaces that move - both physically and emotionally. The materials they choose are as important as the forms they create.

Such places don't just provide recreation. They create micro-communities based on shared rituals and movement accessible to all.

Modern spaces for active recreation and play

A recent project for the City of Krosno includes two recreational zones - an outdoor gym and a playground - connected by a newly constructed pedestrian and bicycle path along the Wisłok River. The investment is part of the initiative "We create + We develop + We revitalize + We stimulate + We outline + We transform = KROSNO".

Playgrounds reinvented: movement as a design principle

Today's playgrounds have become advanced environments where functionality meets aesthetics and inclusivity meets innovation. They are designed to support not only physical activity, but also imagination, sensory stimulation and emotional resilience.

Today's most effective playgrounds are:

Modular and scalable - allowing flexible configurations to fit different spaces and demographics.
Designed for universal access - with ramps, touch panels and ground-level interaction zones.
Visually integrated with the environment - forms and colors harmonize with the natural landscape and urban architecture.
They are built using lower CO₂ emissions, recycled post-consumer waste materials, low-maintenance coatings and sustainable natural woods such as acacia robinia.

These are no longer additions to spaces - they are their foundations, present on school grounds, in neighborhood parks and in residential developments.

© Archgoods

Outdoor gyms: real movement, not just appearances

Functional outdoor physical activity is now becoming a key component of urban health-promoting infrastructure. These zones are compact, sculptural and offer real workout results.

What currently defines an effective outdoor gym?

Ergonomic design that supports proper posture and natural range of motion.
Adjustable resistance that allows people of different fitness levels and body types to exercise effectively.
Inclusivity - inviting to seniors, beginners and people with disabilities.
Minimalist form that fits harmoniously into formal and informal spaces.

These systems are created based on user testing, biomechanics and inclusive design standards, making movement a real experience - safe and rewarding.

In Poland, local governments are investing in modular and scalable solutions, expanding their recreational offerings for youth and adults - such as the modern fitness zones in Soltysowicki Park in Wrocław and Wełnowiecki Park in Katowice complemented by a MUGA multifunctional field, as well as a calisthenics zone on the grounds of the 1st Bilingual High School in Gliwice.

Internationally, the inspiration keeps coming:

In Borås, Sweden, KOMPAN equipment forms the backbone of a public fitness park in Kypegården - with wide availability and training instruction from basic to advanced levels
Voss Activity Park in Norway integrates fitness trails, seating and playgrounds into one cohesive space, creating a vibrant community center.
Freilassing Sportspark in Germany offers obstacle zones, outdoor gyms and smart signage for easy use.
At Segbroek College in the Netherlands, a combined fitness and recreation zone supports the health of students, teachers and local residents alike.

© Archgoods

Material matters: the foundation for quality and durability

As outdoor installations become a permanent part of the architectural landscape, materials carry more and more weight - literally and figuratively.

For architects, the material decision is not just about aesthetics. It affects:

Durability over time
Safety and ease of maintenance
Environmental responsibility
Visual and tactile harmony with the environment

The best contemporary solutions use materials that are durable, responsible and flexible in design.

Among the materials used by KOMPAN are:

Corocord™ ropes reinforced with EcoYarn™ (>95% from post-consumer waste) fused directly to each strand - highly resistant to abrasion, tension and weathering.
HDPE EcoCore™ panels manufactured from >95% recycled post-consumer waste - reducing CO₂ emissions by 82% over virgin plastic.
Hot-dip galvanized steel components inside and out without lead - in accordance with international safety standards. The coating provides high corrosion resistance and requires no maintenance.
Durable, innovative TexMade™ poles made from >95% recycled textile and plastic waste.
Acacia robinia wood sourced primarily from FSC® certified forestry (C004450). Robinia produces natural preservative oils, making it durable and requiring no chemical impregnation.

Every KOMPAN product has carbon footprint and recycled material share calculations - confirmed by independent institutions.

With the increasing role of these spaces in urban planning, the choice of materials is more important than ever, allowing the creation of unique attractions with original forms and above-average functional and aesthetic qualities.

Designing in harmony with the landscape

One of the distinguishing features of modern outdoor spaces is their conscious integration into the landscape architecture.

Rather than being installed as add-on features, today's playgrounds and fitness areas:

blend into the natural terrain.
separated by natural transitions - flowerbeds, wood chips, low retaining walls.
finishes and forms that correspond to the local landscape and cultural context.
create a coherent visual and spatial whole of places of active movement and passive recreation.
designed to invite discovery rather than force attention.

By integrating physical activity into a broader land use plan, such spaces become intentional - not decorative. They invite use on a daily basis, not just occasionally.

Design based on research, refined in practice

Today's playgrounds and outdoor gyms are no longer created based on intuition alone. They are shaped by scientific research, user testing and data from real-world use.

From the motor development of toddlers to the correct posture of seniors during resistance training, effective public space design requires an interdisciplinary approach.

Collaboration between designers, scientists, researchers and end users leads to safe, accessible and evidence-based solutions.

In this way, KOMPAN's play psychology and movement science institutes have shaped the foundation for thousands of public installations around the world.

Partnering with architects - together we design the future of outdoor spaces

At Archgoods, we believe that the spaces where people move, play and meet are among the most important in the entire built environment. That's why we support architects and planners nationwide with:

Carefully selected collections of outdoor fitness and playground solutions
Access to 2D and 3D DWG files for easy project integration
Assistance in the selection of materials and equipment tailored to the specific context of the location
Support for verification of project documentation

We don't just supply equipment - we help make your design visions a reality.