Issue 2: March/April 2026

In April 1999, the Maya Mare adventure pool opened in Halle an der Saale (Germany). The facility became particularly well known for its elaborate theming in a unique Mexican style. Large water slides have always been part of the offering; however, after around 25 years of operation, they were dismantled and replaced with new major attractions. All four new slides have been equipped with sophisticated and interactive effect technology designed to deliver personalized experiences…

In the leisure industry, the experience takes center stage: theme parks are usually associated with spectacular roller coasters and themed attractions, while zoos and wildlife parks are linked to a wide variety of animal species. What is often overlooked, however, is that many of these facilities are also expansive park landscapes that only fully unfold their true impact through strategically planned landscaping. This not only contributes to the atmosphere and thematic design, but also fulfills numerous additional functions – from guiding visitor flows and enhancing guest comfort to promoting sustainability and biodiversity. We spoke with four professionals who have made landscape design and planting their mission…

Analog play, physical activity, social interaction… playgrounds are ideal places to meet these important needs of children while simultaneously supporting their psychomotor development. That is why they are so widespread – whether in public spaces or as part of a (commercial) leisure offering, as provided by theme and amusement parks, zoos, family entertainment centers, and similar facilities. The range of how playgrounds are planned, equipped, and designed could hardly be more diverse…

We described 2024 as a “year of uncertainties” in the last Park Report. This assessment could just as easily apply to 2025. The world appears increasingly complex and difficult to navigate; economic uncertainties and political tensions shape the environment, familiar structures are losing stability, and society is undergoing profound change. At the same time, the daily flood of information continues to grow. Content from social media and other channels bombards people, making it harder to distinguish what is important and accurate from everything else. Rapidly advancing digitalization – accelerated by the use of AI –along with the ongoing shortage of skilled workers, adds further pressure. Companies in the leisure and theme park industry are also facing these challenges…