The first inclusive playground in our county, at Ploiești West Municipal Park, with the support of Rompetrol

The Ploiești municipality and the Pădurea Copiilor Association have signed a partnership agreement, through which a project dedicated to redesigning the playgrounds inside Ploiești West Municipal Park is being carried out.

Thus, with the support of Rompetrol, a pilot playground was created by transforming the existing playground in the Greenhouse area of the park, into an inclusive recreation space, also adapted for children with disabilities.

The 1,256 sqm space provides children in the community with a modern, safe and accessible environment for everyone, regardless of age or ability, adapted to all types of disabilities – physical, sensory, cognitive and neurodivergent.

The project involved the installation of a special flooring, ensuring full accessibility, including for wheelchair users, the installation of safe and inclusive play equipment, the implementation of a modern irrigation system, as well as rehabilitation of the green space and modernisation of the tree alignment.

Thanks to the 28 species of trees, shrubs and aromatic plants – from silver maple and red oak to the sensory trail with lavender and rosemary – children can explore and discover the beauty of nature through all their senses.

The playground design respects universal accessibility principles, with 283 sqm of EPDM anti-trauma flooring, ensuring fall cushioning and efficient drainage, barrier-free paths for wheelchairs or strollers, equipment adapted to different ability levels, as well as rest and supervision areas dedicated to parents and caregivers.

The space stands out through a series of special elements, such as the central Fun Land structure, with an educational panel and multiple play options, including the inclusive carousel and equipment for sensory experiences, an interactive area with trumpets and drums for auditory stimulation, the double swing adapted for paired play, the fitness area with sand and buckets, which develops creativity, as well as the sensory alley with cube carousels, providing safety and protection.

In Ploiești, the Rompetrol Group operates the Vega Refinery, the longest-running facility of its kind in Romania, with 120 years of experience, a refinery that has evolved from a classic unit, focused on crude oil processing, into a producer and supplier of special, value-added products, obtained exclusively from semi-finished materials supplied by the Petromidia refinery. At the same time, Rompetrol has a significant presence in the downstream sector as well, with eight fuel distribution stations in Prahova County.

This year, with the support of Rompetrol (KMG International), 9 (nine) playgrounds have entered works in the city of Ploiești, located in the following areas of the city:

·         Ploiești West Municipal Park – 285 Mărășești Street;

·         București Boulevard;

·         Soldat Arhip Nicolae Street;

·         Grindului Street; 

·         Tudor Vladimirescu Street, intersection with Popa Farcaș Street; 

·         Poștei Street, intersection with Praga Street;

·         Cameliei Street, block 111; 

·         Mărășești Street, intersection with Ciucului Alley; 

·         Streiului Alley (Câineni Park). 

“The first inclusive playground in Ploiești, built at the Western Municipal Park, is an important project for our city and a concrete example of cooperation between the administration, the private sector and civil society.

It is a step in the right direction towards revitalising the Western Municipal Park, a space with enormous potential, which must be returned to the community and put to good use.

Through the involvement of Rompetrol and the Pădurea Copiilor Association, we have managed to transform an unused area into a safe, accessible and friendly space for all children, regardless of age or abilities.

I appreciate the support Rompetrol has given the Ploiești community and its openness to invest in projects that improve the quality of life in the city.

Such partnerships show what we can achieve when the private sector and public administration pull in the same direction. Thank you, once again, for your openness and involvement,” declared Mihai Polițeanu, Mayor of Ploiești. 

“Through this project, we offer children a safe, friendly and inclusive space, where everyone can enjoy play and nature. Supporting local communities is an objective for Rompetrol, and investments in education, health and environmental protection are concrete ways through which we contribute to a better future,” declared Sorin Graure, General Director of Rompetrol Rafinare.

We are constantly meeting an ongoing demand of the Ploiești community, namely to modernise and develop urban green spaces, dedicated to outdoor recreation. 

We are implementing green and inclusive projects in Ploiești!

Together we invest in a cleaner, healthier, better city!

DIRECȚIA COMUNICARE, RELAȚII PUBLICE ȘI SITUAȚII DE URGENȚĂ (Communication, Public Relations and Emergencies Department)