“Playing outside is not only fun, but also super important. You can move and discover.” With these beautiful words, children's mayor Lucas Rijsdijk opened the festive meeting in Wiedewei Ridderkerk yesterday. In addition to the children's mayor, mayor Marco Oosterwijk was also present at the opening: “As a child I also loved this: playing hide and seek, going into the forest... It's possible here!”
A playground for all ages
After the speeches, the garden was officially opened with the cutting of a ribbon at the willow tunnel. After a sprint through the willow tunnel, the toddlers present flew into the garden: exploring the 'forest', climbing and clambering over the tree trunks and whizzing down the slide. With the bright sunshine and 25 degrees, the fruit water and vegetable snacks provided the necessary refreshment. Not only the children from the daycare enjoy the new garden. In addition to the grandmothers, fathers and mothers who have to come along over the bridge and through the willow tunnel, children's mayor Lucas also runs through the garden visibly enjoying himself: "I am bigger than the children from the daycare, but I also think this green garden is great fun to play in!".
Never going home again
Wiedewei Ridderkerk already had a green garden, but after weeks of hard work it is now even greener. Tiles have been replaced by tree trunks and stepping stones to practice balance, a beautiful outdoor circle and even more grass. In the enclosed baby garden, the little ones are stimulated by the sounds, smells and structures of nature and develop their senses. A barefoot path has been created to stimulate the senses and the willow tunnel promotes fantasy and motor development. But the green garden is not only very good for the children's development, they also simply find the garden very nice. When it is time to go home, some children quickly run away again: "No, I'm staying here!"
