Noise in the playground – how law and good design can resolve neighborhood conflicts?

The result is numerous complaints, requests for the liquidation of playgrounds, and even loud court cases. In Łódź, the court ordered the dismantling of a pitch and the installation of acoustic screens, which shows the scale of the problem that residents face throughout Poland, including in the Rataje district of Poznań and in the Gumieńce district of Szczecin.

Noise from the playground – a real health threat

The problem of noise from the playground is not just a matter of discomfort. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that prolonged exposure to sound above 55 decibels can negatively affect well-being. Meanwhile, during intense play, children's noise often reaches levels of 70–80 decibels, comparable to traffic on a busy street.

Scientific studies, such as those conducted by Shield and Dockrell in London, demonstrate that such noise levels negatively affect concentration, cause irritability, and hinder rest. Importantly, these effects affect not only adults, but also the children themselves – being in a loud environment leads to quicker fatigue and less effective play.

Why does noise from outside irritate so much? Neighborly relations are key

The reaction to noise does not solely depend on its intensity. As studies (Lee et al., 2021) show, the subjective perception of sounds as well as attitude and neighborly relations are crucial. The greater the frustration and lack of communication, the stronger the reaction to sounds that might otherwise be tolerated.

In the case of playgrounds in housing estates, the same mechanism applies. If residents feel a lack of influence over how the space is used – for example, when the playground is open until late at night and becomes a meeting place for youth – the sounds of play easily become a source of serious psychological stress.

How to reconcile interests? Wise design and dialogue are key

The solution to the problem is not the liquidation of playgrounds, because playgrounds serve a very important function in the physical and social development of children. The key is a compromise based on two pillars: intelligent design and open communication.

Modern urban planning offers specific solutions that can reconcile both sides:

• Green strips and natural barriers that effectively muffle sound.

• Acoustic screens in places where the problem is particularly pronounced.

• Designating usage hours for the playground to eliminate evening and nighttime noise.

Equally important is dialogue. Housing cooperatives and neighborhood councils are increasingly organizing meetings to establish common rules for using the playground. It is precisely where it is possible to combine the needs of children with adults' rights to rest that the conflict is resolved.

The playground as a symbol of compromise in urban space

The dispute over the playground is, in fact, a symbol of a broader challenge: how to organize shared space in densely built-up neighborhoods. The aim should not be to eliminate recreational areas, but to design them so that they do not turn into an unbearable source of noise. Achieving a compromise requires both knowledge of acoustics and spatial planning, as well as goodwill from residents. Only then can the playground be what it should be – a safe space of joy that unites rather than divides neighbors.

References

• Shield, B. M., Dockrell, J. E. (2008). The effects of environmental and classroom noise on the academic attainments of primary school children. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 123(1), 133–144.

• World Health Organization (1999). Guidelines for Community Noise. WHO.

• Lee, P. J., Jeong, J. H., Jeong, J. H., & Kang, J. (2021). Perception and Reaction to Floor Impact Noise in Apartment Buildings: A Qualitative Approach. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8435.

• Ochiabuto, O. M. T. B. et al. (2021). Assessment of Noise Levels in Primary and Secondary Schools in Nnewi, Anambra State. European Journal of Environment and Public Health, 5(1), em0054.

• Press articles: tvn24.pl (2023), epoznan.pl (2023), wszczecinie.pl (2022).