A striking new piece of play equipment has recently been installed at De Schatberg holiday park in Sevenum. We visited the site to see it with our own eyes and spoke with co-owner Karin Hopzak about the reason for the replacement, the decision-making process, and the added value this new eye-catcher brings to the park.
The reason for installing the new play equipment was simple: the old structure was broken and beyond repair. “The equipment that was there really needed replacing,” says Karin. It was made of plastic and quite tall, giving it a landmark presence—something that immediately stood out and drew people in. That’s why the new structure needed to offer at least the same level of visual appeal and play value. Maintaining that play value was central to the design process. “You quickly end up thinking of a slide and a climbing section. It needed to offer enough challenge and really catch the eye. It just had to be something big.” Originally, the redesign of the play area was planned in two phases. Phase one was meant to include a play feature by the water. Various pieces of equipment were to be installed on the beach for water and sand play. But because the old structure urgently needed replacement, we started with phase two: a large piece of equipment with visibility and appeal. The theme was kept intact. For the design and realisation of the play structure, De Schatberg approached three different companies. Karin explains, “We gave them all the same briefing.” One of those companies was BOERplay, where sales advisor Remco clearly remembers the first conversation: “During a walk along the small beach with Karin, she asked, ‘Can you create something here where children can really let off steam?’” That question marked the starting point for a creative process in which he and designer Sara worked on a play concept with an adventurous theme and clear sightlines from the terrace.
“We wanted to create something that would truly spark the imagination,” says Remco. BOERplay presented their plan – alongside two other proposals – and ultimately received the commission. “They immediately captured the right theme. The communication was smooth – they really thought along with us and had a strong sense of what we were looking for,” Karin adds. Together, they chose to start with phase two: a large, unique play structure on an artificial hill, complete with a treasure chest. Not just a climbing frame, but an experience that perfectly fits the story of De Schatberg. The final structure was built using robinia wood. “That wasn’t initially a very conscious decision, but in hindsight, I’m really pleased with it,” says Karin. “We also deliberately chose not to paint the wood, so it blends in much better with the natural surroundings.” The location of the play structure was deliberately chosen—right next to the terrace of the hospitality area. This allows parents to sit and relax with a bite or a drink while keeping an eye on their children. “It creates peace of mind,” says Karin. “Children can see their parents, and vice versa. That’s especially reassuring for younger or more cautious children.” That combination of play area and terrace is also appealing from a hospitality perspective. Parents are more likely to stay longer if they can keep a safe eye on their children. “The whole area just works,” says Karin. “It all looks out onto each other nicely, which makes guests with children feel especially welcome—without compromising on atmosphere or comfort.” The response to the new play structure was immediately enthusiastic. It was installed just before Easter, during good weather and with German guests already staying at the park. Because the structure still needed to be inspected, it was temporarily cordoned off with red and white tape. “Normally, people don’t pay much attention to that sort of thing, but this time everyone stayed respectfully away,” says Karin. “And once the tape was removed, the children ran straight to it.” The internal team was also very positive. “We discussed the design with the three directors and jointly decided: this is the one. And once the structure was in place, everyone was really pleased. In real life, it’s always a little different from the drawing.” According to Karin, the new play structure fits perfectly with the overall look and feel of the park and definitely adds to the guest experience. “It’s hard to say exactly how much it influences reviews or guest satisfaction, but if it wasn’t there, it would certainly have had a negative impact. It simply belongs as part of the whole picture.” Would she recommend BOERplay to other business owners? “Yes, absolutely. The communication was excellent, they really thought along with us, and they came up with a proposal that matched exactly what we had in mind.”Play value and wow factor as the starting point
“BOERplay came up with the idea of placing the structure on a hill. That gave it more prominence, both literally and figuratively. The treasure chest built into the structure is also a great addition. We can use it for treasure hunts run by the animation team.”
From concept to commission: collaboration with BOERplay
Playtime next to the terrace
Happy children and positive reactions
A perfect fit in the bigger picture
