The Village Heart of Moerdijk near the former church has become a central meeting place. A place where everyone is welcome, young and old, where you can play, work out and meet people. “The togetherness in the village has always been there, but I hope that people here also physically encounter each other again. That they don’t send an app, but meet here. And when I see how busy it is this afternoon; then the village feeling is back.” says Jan Eestermans, Member village table Moerdijk, during the opening.
The Goal
Boerplay’s many different play and exercise equipment has been installed in the village centre, so that every child, even with a disability, can enjoy playing outside. Kids play anytime, anywhere. We want to set up a playground in such a way that as many children as possible can play together. Because playing outside is playing together. And that includes a wide variety of play elements. In addition, a football field has been built and fitness equipment has been installed. So there is something for young and old to do and that creates more meetings between the villagers. The play design also takes into account, among other things, hearing-impaired and partially sighted children by placing special devices, such as two wooden boards with play leads that form a feel-wall, laughing mirrors and a music device where sounds come out when you tap on them. ‘This way we give optimal interpretation and space for inclusive play and fun for every child. And we create a safe and fun environment for every child to develop playfully.
The Heart
What makes the place so special is that it is placed against and in the former Stephanus church, centrally located in the center of Moerdijk. The concrete skeleton and other defining parts of the church have been preserved and are the inspiration for the design made for this special place. The parts of the church that have been preserved form a beautiful backdrop for a central meeting place. The central heart where villagers can meet and activities can be created. In addition to being a central place for playing, moving and meeting each other, the Dorpshart is also intended for cultural events and an ice skating rink in winter. The municipality intended to flatten these parts of the church, but this did not happen partly because of this project. According to Nel van Meel of the working group Gebied RK-kerk (source: BN De Stem), the place remains “the landmark of Moerdijk”. Moerdijk now has a beautiful new village heart with references to the monastery past, a central park where there is room for sport, play and meeting.
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Including play
The playground equipment comes mainly from the Adventure Play range. In addition, specially designed devices have been included in the design, to give disabled children a nice and safe play area, such as a rotary carousel. “A wheelchair can be fastened in there so that those children can also play with it. In the case of people with a disability, you should not always think of people in wheelchairs. It is also suitable for children with ADHD, ADD or other behavioral disorders. If they want to be alone for a moment during the hustle and bustle of playing, they can isolate themselves. The bird’s nest swing is also suitable for children with a physical disability.” says Jan Eestermans of Dorpstafel Moerdijk (source: BN De Stem). The fitness equipment from our fitness range is colour-adjusted so that the equipment fits into the environment. This allows the fathers and mothers to exercise and exercise, while the children are playing.
Watch the video for a walk through the Village Heart