The exciting neck-and-neck race was then decided by two children who turned up a little later...The final event of the playground participation campaign began with a song with which the children thanked the city of Salzgitter for the new playground. The girls and boys up to the age of 12 had previously painted, written or told Sina Glaser from the municipal management company (SRB) about their ideas and wishes. 32 entries then had to be evaluated. The ropeway received eleven votes, followed by the climbing frame with slide with nine points and the swing with eight points.

A list of priorities was drawn up based on the votes, which formed the basis for the two options that were then put to the vote. There were eight pieces of play equipment on each option. Not an easy task for the children, even though the variants only differed in four points. Some of the girls liked the trampoline in the first option just as much as the large climbing frame in option two. "Can't you do both?" one girl wanted to know. But neither the space in Osterlinde nor the financial resources of the city of Salzgitter....

The children were thrilled that the ropeway, the playhouse for toddlers, the wobbly animal and the sand play table were included in both versions. After all, these were the things they wanted most. The small dots were quickly stuck on the board, which were used to distribute the votes.

The evaluation then resulted in a draw: each option received eleven votes. What now? The decision was then made by two children who arrived late for the final event, which nobody was angry about this time. Because the two votes then decided in favor of variant one. This was followed by loud applause and lots of questions about when they would be able to play on the new playground. However, the little ones still have to be a little patient, as the political committees still have to decide on the planning. The opening is planned for next year.

A small consolation were the homemade waffles that the adults had baked as refreshments and the gym bags that the town gave as a thank you. Because the little ones' commitment was a great success: 24 girls and boys up to the age of twelve took part in this final event. 30 children up to the age of twelve live in Osterlinde. With their commitment, the many children made it clear how important "their" new playground is to them.