Lithuanian government transfers seven playgrounds in Vilnius for German soldiers’ children education

The Lithuanian government will transfer seven children’s playgrounds in Vilnius to support outdoor education for German military families, state news agency BNS reported on Tuesday.

The playgrounds, located on Ateities Street, will be managed by the Lithuanian Centre for the Blind and Visually Impaired, which will use them for outdoor educational activities—including German-language early childhood programs for children of German troops stationed in Lithuania.

The assets, valued at over €565,000 in total, include the playgrounds, an automatic barrier system for a parking area, and lighting infrastructure. The transfer follows a bilateral defense cooperation agreement between Lithuania and Germany, which includes provisions for educating German military families’ children in their native language.

Germany plans to deploy 4,000–5,000 troops in Lithuania by the end of 2027, some arriving with families. To accommodate them, renovations at the education centre are expected to finish by September, creating space for 5th–11th grade students. Temporary German-language preschool groups for 80 children will also open in Kaunas this summer.

A German school in Vilnius, serving around 20 children, and additional German-language early education groups for 30 children began operating last September in modular buildings near the centre.