Natural school playgrounds


Fris in het Landschap in cooperation with Evelyne Fiers

De Visitatie - sand play area with tree trunks stacked like mikado (enlarged view in image gallery)

Photos: Fris in het Landschap & AGIOn

  • De Visitatie - sand play area with tree trunks stacked like mikado
  • De Oogappel - mounds for climbing and clambering
  • De Visitatie - sitting niche, space for tranquility and communication
  • De Oogappel - playing at the bank of the marsh pond
  • De Visitatie - retaining wall built from recycled natural stones
  • De Visitatie - clambering area
  • De Visitatie - climbing area
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  • Status:

    Realized

  • Education type:

    Free Subsidised Education
    GO! Education of the Flemish Community

  • Education level:

    Primary Education (pre-school + primary)

  • Address:

    Gerardstraat 16, 9040 Sint-Amandsberg
    Bisdomkaai 1, 9000 Gent

  • Client:

    City of Ghent in cooperation with Sint-Janscollege for Basisschool De Visitatie & GO! Education of the Flemish Community for Leefschool De Oogappel.

  • Keywords:

    School grounds

  • Programme:

    Green adventure playground for nursery & primary school De Visitatie. Natural school playground for Leefschool De Oogappel.

  • Area:

    natural playground 220m², paved playground 640m²m2
    natural playground 830m², paved playground 570m²m2

  • Completion:

    2010-2011


Natural school playground in dense city environments

Natural school playgrounds in dense city environments


On the basis of a clear vision on the benefits of outdoor space for children and school environments, landscape architects from "Fris in ‘t Landschap" are working on the greening of various playgrounds in Ghent. The outdoor space plays an important role in a school’s educational climate, and must be a challenging playing area, as well as a place for learning which stimulates the senses, promotes creativity, enhances the experience of nature and encourages children to exercise. A playground must also provide tranquility and safety for children who need it. This way the playground can be an inspiring learning environment which is used to work around the attainment targets of expressive education, world orientation, Dutch, physical education, etc.

The reconstruction starts from the creation of different zones. In order to create a challenging and enriching playing environment the landscape architects play with variations on height, materials, plants, shadow and natural elements.

The participatory approach adopted by the landscape architects stands out in these projects. Children, parents, teachers, the school management team and cleaning personnel have all participated in the process of ‘dreaming, thinking and doing’ . By involving all stakeholders in the early planning, construction and management onwards a playground is created which is supported by everyone and meets the school’s specific needs.

Nursery and primary school De Visitatie


The reconstruction of the playground for the nursery and primary school De Visitatie has developed from the neighbourhood-oriented Broad/Extended School Sint-Amandsberg. The educational department of the City of Ghent supports five Ghent schools within densely populated areas in making plans for a "green adventure playgrounds". The City of Ghent financed the drafting of the participation process and the preliminary design, whereas the schools themselves are in charge of the technical design and the construction.

To realise this reconstruction a part of the paved playground had to make way for a soft playing area with plenty of relief. Two mounds for climbing and clambering divide the playground into several playing areas: a sand play area with tree trunks stacked like mikado sticks, a climbing track, a sunken sitting area with a circle of trees and an amphitheatre/outdoor classroom. Retaining walls reinforce parts of the elevation. Together with an artist the pupils decorated the retaining wall built from recycled natural stones. One school wall was transformed into a natural wall with butterfly plants in a plant box, an insect hotel and birdhouses for swallows. The sitting niche and the tree trunk benches create space for tranquility and communication.

The trees and shrubs on the mounds and the sown mixture of flowers enhance the natural experience of the playground.

Nursery and primary school Leefschool de Oogappel


The Leefschool de Oogappel is situated at walking distance from the St Bavo Cathedral in the heart of Ghent. The walled school playground was partially paved and partially grassed, where the school had problems with stagnating water. The grass section was replaced by a green adventure playground.

The school wants to create an outdoor space that is more than just a place where children can "air themselves" during the break and nicely return to their classrooms afterwards. Two big mounds divide the playground into different areas. The sand play area provides space for fantasy and creative play. The mounds are mainly designed for climbing and clambering, with tree-trunk steps, a tunnel, a slide, a sitting area, and a willow hut. Here the children develop their motor skills and self-confidence and are challenged to push their limits. One side of the mound was transformed into an amphitheatre with a fire pit, which is ideal for outdoor classes, short plays and school parties. For more intimate discussions the children can go to the story corner in the willow hut. The chicken run and the compost heap make up a small corner where experiencing nature is of central importance.

Each year the pupils can continue to work on the development of the playground by making mosaic tiles, building willow huts, and designing the planned water playground. The green playground is constantly in development.