Playground paid by MJ in German No-Man's-Land
Yesterday, I happened to be near the »Michael Jackson Playground« in Ratzdorf, Germany. So, I decided to check it out. Here is the backstory behind the playground (german only):
https://www.ratzdorf.de/seite/594650/michael-jackson-spielplatz.html
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratzdorf
In 1997, MJ read in the newspaper about a flood in the village and donated $17,000 or $30,000 (30,000 or 50,000 DM—sources conflict on this point) toward the reconstruction of the local school. Since there was no school in the village at all, it was agreed—in consultation with MJ—to use the money to build a playground instead.
The playground is indeed pleasantly spacious: plenty of green space, shady spots, and places to sit together. Hands down the best (and only) playground I’ve visited in the last 10 years.