Estonia's Largest Unique Rooftop Adventure Park to Be Built in Mustamäe

Next to Mustamäe Center, a parking garage roof of a nearly 100-meter-high high-rise named Manhattan will host Estonia's first playground and recreation park of such a large scale.

According to Evelyn Hiielo (Ristruum OÜ), the landscape architect who designed the roof terrace, building roof terraces on high-rises is currently very popular in Estonia. "Manhattan differs in its task by creating a large children's area with several playgrounds next to recreation areas, the likes of which are reportedly not known to exist elsewhere in Estonia," said Hiielo.

"Designing the 800-square-meter terrace on the parking garage roof at the 5th floor level proved quite a challenge for engineers. Taking into account both the greenery and the volume of playgrounds, many special solutions were found to reduce the load – for example, instead of concrete plant containers, these will be made from metal. The play areas will have safety zones, and the slopes necessary for drainage will be hidden under surfaces. It was important to choose materials that are as fire-resistant as possible," said Hiielo, and added that designing the roof terrace with a view of the old town has taken approximately a year.

"The roof terrace is designed for both older and younger users. For the smallest children, there is a separate area with a sandbox playhouse and spring swings. For older children, a playhouse, rope climbing wall, and swings have been designed. In addition, there is a balance-movement trail in the area. If someone wants to simply read a book, have lunch, or spend time in the fresh air, there are plenty of different seating areas, two pergolas, picnic tables, and hammock swings. The roof terrace can also be used at night, as the area will have soft lighting," added Hiielo.

„About 500 different plants will be used for the greenery of the roof terrace, including trees, climbing plants, flowering flowers, and grasses. The plant selection has a natural appearance to create fullness and fluffiness. From the larger trees, multi-stemmed ginnala maples will be planted, which have an impressive autumn color. Alongside perennials with a long flowering period, hardy grasses and spring bulbs have been used," said Hiielo.

„Many flowers will be planted on the roof terrace that delight the eye year-round – in early spring, winter roses already bloom with the snow, followed by crocuses, daffodils, heartbreak, bruneras, and bluebells, and toward fall, various grasses. Forest strawberries will also be planted on the roof terrace as ground cover plants, and people can pick the berries themselves," said Hiielo.