Following the renovation of two tennis courts at sports center Weimeersen in Rollegem, a third court was deemed unnecessary. This space has now been transformed into a newly renovated, inclusive play zone. The playground is used by local children as well as by the nearby school and the adjacent boarding school for children with disabilities.
Requirements and wishes for the renovated playground
For the expansion and renovation of the playground, the municipality of Kortrijk established a number of clear wishes.
- Some of the older equipment must remain in place.
- The new play areas must be 100% inclusive.
- The design should be cohesive, creating a unified space.
- Preferably use natural play elements.
- Utilize permeable materials for the ground.
Our landscape designers worked with these requirements and wishes in mind.
A cohesive area
Over the years, the sports centre’s grounds have gradually expanded. The various sports and play functions were placed together without a landscaping plan, resulting in a disjointed layout.
To connect the separate functions of the sports centre, we chose to create a path running through the landscape that logically links the different play zones.
Accessibility of the play equipment
The inclusivity of the playground is ensured by the design and accessibility of the play equipment. Some of the equipment is located directly along the gravel path, making it accessible to everyone. This is particularly convenient for a parent with a child in a stroller and another child who wants to play.
The equipment for older children is situated slightly farther from the path, with careful consideration given to sightlines. Although this play area is physically less accessible, it can still be monitored.
Adjacent to the gravel path is a pergola where children can swing and relax—ideal for those needing a break. This pergola is easily accessible via a paved path made of TigerMulch. The bird’s nest swing is also readily accessible from the gravel path via a TigerMulch path.
100% inclusive
We have created a 100% inclusive play area. There are no play equipment pieces that are only suitable for children with disabilities. The equipment is designed for children with both physical and mental disabilities, as well as for children without disabilities. Some equipment offers different levels of difficulty, ensuring that it provides enough challenge depending on the age and physical development of each child.
Play equipment for everyone
Collaborative play is expressed in various ways through our equipment. Some examples include: 
Sand play table: The sand play table is partially in the sandbox and partially over the path. This design allows a stroller, wheelchair, or walker to easily join in for play. The sand hoist can also be operated from both the sandbox and the path.
Challenger: The Challenger is truly a progressive piece of equipment. This sports equipment offers various levels of difficulty, allowing children to decide at which level they want to use it. 
Zipline: The zipline is easy for everyone to climb. We’ve ensured that the starting slope, much like the slide, has a gentle incline, making it accessible to all.
Slide: This extra-wide slide is perfect for sliding down together. Children can slide with a caregiver, or of course, with a friend. The slide is placed on a gently sloping hill, making it easy to climb. For extra support, there is an incline climber equipped with a rope for additional stability.
Four types of play
In addition to considering the different abilities of the children playing here, we have also designed the layout around four types of play: the energizers, structure seekers, builders, and observers. For the energizers, there is plenty of open space to engage in competitive play, such as on the zipline. The observers have plenty of quiet spots to meet and relax. The builders can immerse themselves in various sand play activities and express their creativity with the talking tubes scattered across the play zone. The structure seekers, who seek familiar play stimuli, will also find plenty of engaging challenges here.
Used materials
At the request of the municipality of Kortrijk, we used natural materials and permeable surfaces. All equipment is primarily made of FSC® certified Robinia wood, supported by materials like stainless steel, such as for the slide.
The gravel path that runs through the entire play area is highly suitable for water drainage. Additionally, the TigerMulch paths leading to the play equipment also meet this requirement. TigerMulch has an open structure, making it ideal for drainage.
A beautiful end result
The final outcome is an extensive inclusive play zone that meets all the requirements of the city of Kortrijk. Koen Kint, our advisor involved in the development of this project, is extremely enthusiastic about the result:
“It’s wonderful to see how the city of Kortrijk shares our vision of inclusive play. This play zone has truly become a place where everyone feels at home to play, exercise, and explore.”
The play zone is now being heavily used by visitors of the sports centre as well as nearby schools. And the verdict is unanimous: there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this 100% inclusive play area.
