What if you take matters into your own hands? If you don’t wait for the council to refurbish an ageing space, but instead roll up your sleeves with your neighbourhood. In Aalst, that’s exactly what they did! And the result? A beautiful, accessible meeting place by the Esmeer where every child is welcome. Thanks to Stichting De Neswaarden, support from the SamenSpeelFonds, the commitment of the municipality, and BOERplay’s clever and beautiful design, a dream has come true: a truly inclusive playground.
From goose field to play paradise
Twelve years ago, it was mostly geese you’d bump into. The recreation area at De Neswaarden was underused and at risk of falling into disrepair. The council had plans, but maintenance proved tricky. So local residents stepped in. They founded Stichting De Neswaarden and took the area under their own care.
“We wanted to prevent the site from being neglected,” says Nanda, chair of the foundation. “So we got to work ourselves.” Picnic tables, sports equipment, a raft on the water, even a planting plan were installed. All with accessibility in mind: wider gates, paths that everyone can navigate, and now a playground where every child can play together.
A playground for everyone
One real dream remained unfulfilled: a truly inclusive playground. When the foundation discovered the SamenSpeelFonds, the puzzle pieces fell into place. The fund supports projects where playing together is central – including children with disabilities – offering financial support of up to 60% of costs.
Nanda explains: “The grant application was a major task. We added around 25 appendices to the application: from justifications to detailed plans.” But the hard work paid off: €43,500 was awarded.
BOERplay also actively participated in the design and in maximising funding potential. The foundation commissioned two designs, consulted with the municipality and managers, and ultimately chose a plan that was both feasible and met the fund’s requirements.
Crowdfunding proved difficult, Nanda reports, since the foundation isn’t very active on social media. Thankfully, Rabobank came to the rescue. “We took part in the Rabo ClubSupport campaign, specifically focused on accessibility. That filled the final gap.”
The foundation itself also contributed significantly, via a donation box and QR codes on site. The result? A full-fledged, inclusive playground built to withstand annual high water and heavy usage.
Co‑designing
Not just adults had input—children from the neighbourhood, with and without disabilities, had their voices heard. “We asked them to say what they found important in a playground,” says Nanda. “And it worked. You can’t necessarily tell just by looking, but some children do have disabilities. The fact that they can now simply play alongside everyone else makes this place so valuable.”
Councillor Gijs van Leeuwen sees it too:
“Stichting De Neswaarden has spent two years creating a space where all children can play. And they worked it out with the children. What equipment is needed? That is of course truly wonderful: the users themselves shaped the place.”
The play structure: climbing, sensing and discovering together
The structure now in place is more than a play frame—it’s an experience.
BOERplay advisor Berdi Viveen explains: “We call it inclusive, but actually ‘playing together’ is a better term. The structure has an accessible ramp on both sides with a gentle slope. That way children in wheelchairs can easily go up. At the top, all children come together to play. And along the way there are all kinds of features: play panels on the side where children can explore through touch and sound. For visually impaired children, this really adds to the play experience.”
It may cost more than a standard play structure, but for the municipality it’s an investment in the future. Councillor Van Leeuwen: “This is our inspiration to make such places possible elsewhere in Zaltbommel too.”
More than just playing
What began as an initiative to maintain a site has grown into a place for swimming, picnicking, exercising—and most importantly, being together.
“Even people from Rotterdam come here,” Nanda says proudly. “And we keep everything free and accessible.”
Through Rabo ClubSupport and on‑site donations the foundation managed to raise the remaining funds needed for the playground. And the appreciation? They feel it, even without social media. “We get it back through donations. And maybe – who knows – we’ll become more visible online in the future.”
A regional example
In April 2025, the playground was officially opened. It was an afternoon full of play, and despite the rain, the children had a great time. “We can see through the donations that the playground is appreciated. And who knows, with a bit of help, we might become more visible online too.” The playground at De Neswaarden is proof that together, you can truly make a difference. Not by waiting, but by doing. A place for all children, where play connects.
