In spring, a small, colorful playground was built on Staroszkolna Street as part of Nivea’s “One Hundred Playgrounds for Nivea’s 100th Anniversary” campaign. The “Bolesławianka” housing cooperative entered the site in the competition.
Last year, active residents of Bolesławiec encouraged people on internet forums to vote in the Nivea competition. The towns whose local communities were most active and cast the most votes for a playground in their city on the company’s website won.
In March this year, our Reader Gala wrote on the forum:
“Nivea is already keeping its promise. A children’s playground is being built. (…) But who will put up a fence around this playground? (…) It is essential (…) until now the playground (…) was used as a walking area for the dogs and cats from the neighborhood, (…) so dogs and cats let off their leashes will (…) continue using this place if it is not secured with a fence.”
In August, another Reader using the nickname Piotrek from Romanogród expressed his concern about the playground in more explicit terms. He started a thread on the Istotne.pl forum titled “The Nivea playground on Staroszkolna is screwed,” and explained why in a post below.
“Some strange children are playing there now. They have low voices and say ‘f**k’ and ‘d**k.’ I can’t say more because it’s dark and not much can be seen. I can only see a small fire. They’re probably using it for light so they don’t step in some dog mess.”
Internet users immediately responded to him, and other people posted comments in his thread. Kaja advised him to call the Municipal Police, but Ela advised Piotrek against it, writing: “Don’t call, because it will turn out that once again it was just a pleasant chat between neighbors and you’ll be screwed…”
The Nivea campaign successfully mobilized the local community. The “Bolesławianka” cooperative noticed the problem and wants to fence and light the playground; it will also replace the swing, which has now been removed because it was damaged.
– We will install both the fence and the lighting. The mayor promised financial assistance – says Iwona Perłowska from “Bolesławianka.” – We have already submitted the required documents to the offices, because the construction of a fence must be reported to the building department, and obtaining all the permits takes time. The same applies to the lighting design. I am sure that the officials will issue the permits quickly and help us so that we can protect the new children’s playground as soon as possible – Perłowska adds.
(information: G.H.)