Dendermonde City has decided to transform the playground of the municipal primary school De Klinker in Schoonaarde into a green play area to be shared by the school and the local community. Following a participatory process and location study, a portion of the school grounds will be opened as a public playground, giving Schoonaarde its first public play zone within its own territory.
The participatory process, organized in 2026, involved parents, the teaching staff, out-of-school care, pupils, and residents of Schoonaarde. The initiative was prompted by outdated play infrastructure and the ambition to increase greenery on the playground, aligning with the city's multi-year objectives of 'schools as partners' and 'stimulating community cohesion'.
Schoonaarde is currently the only sub-municipality without a public playground. Various locations were examined, including the school site and the former presbytery site. The presbytery site scored lower on social control, and its proximity to the cemetery was deemed less ideal for a play area.
The school site offers advantages such as familiarity for children, an existing school environment, and adapted traffic regulations. Although the public zone will not be fully visible, this is compensated by the regular presence and visual oversight from the school and out-of-school care. The combined use maximizes the investment's value and is a significant asset for the subsidy application.
A budget of 172,600 euros is allocated for the renovation and greening of the playground, with an application to increase this to 253,000 euros through the 'Nature in your School' subsidy call from the Flemish Environment Department. A subsidy dossier was submitted on September 29, 2026, with a decision expected by the end of December 2026.
Subject to a positive subsidy decision, the city hopes to begin landscaping in 2027. Concerns about potential nuisance have been taken seriously and the situation will be actively monitored after the playground opens. A fence will separate the public play zone from the permanent school playground.
