One of the completed green primary school playgrounds is the playground shared by Basisschool Onder de Wieken and OBS De Kirreweie in Burgh-Haamstede. In the place where there used to be mainly paving stones, a green, lively space full of trees, flowers and natural play features has now been created. A lot has also changed in the way children play. The old artificial grass and outdated equipment have been replaced by a natural play landscape. There are still paving stones, but throughout the playground you will find flower beds, trees and shrubs, corners with wood chips or shells, and natural play elements such as logs. There is also a bee hotel. Two vegetable gardens border the playground on both sides.
In an interview with Omroep Zeeland, Casper Weekhout of Nature and Environmental Education Schouwen-Duiveland (NME SD) lists the benefits. “It is healthier for children, makes them happier, helps them perform better at school, makes learning more enjoyable, reduces bullying, reduces obesity, reduces depression... And all that by planting a few shrubs and trees.”
The directors Erwin van Dam (De Kirreweie) and Carine Francke (Onder de Wieken) told Omroep Zeeland that they are extremely happy with all the changes. Van Dam: “To us, it felt a bit like a concrete expanse with a lot of artificial grass. Children played there, but mostly running and chasing games.” Van Dam thinks children can play differently in the renovated school playground: “We think the children move and play differently on this playground. It has become more about playing together rather than against each other.”
Not finished yet
NME SD says that the project is not yet finished with the completion of the work. The gardens also need to be maintained, for example. NME SD hopes to be able to work with local gardeners for this. In addition, NME SD wants to build a connection with the neighbourhood. “Some of our vegetable gardens are located near care homes, for example,” says Weekhout. “How wonderful would it be if we could get the residents into the garden to interact with the children?”
The reason not all primary schools on Schouwen-Duiveland have a green school playground yet is that not all schools knew whether they would renovate, build new premises or move. There is now clarity on that, and the final six school playgrounds on the island can also be tackled.