Core team update: Plenty of small and large activities
We like to see the neighbourhood park as a place where you can meet neighbours and do things together. Whenever I’m in the park, I almost always run into someone. Someone walking the dog, a few friends catching up on one of the new benches, families having a full picnic at the water play area, a group of young people discovering that the benches and grandstand on the embankment can also be used as a challenging obstacle course. That’s how I’m constantly meeting new people.
Larger groups are also finding us more and more often: athletes doing stretches together in the grass, a group of neighbours getting a tour and then enjoying a cup of coffee on the picnic bench. These are all things we don’t organise ourselves, but that happen spontaneously. Exactly what we’d hoped for: the park as a place where everyone feels at home.
Mindfulness
We were pleasantly surprised by someone offering a free introduction to Mindfulness in the park. So, for a few moments, I sat with a few others, eyes closed, focused, in a quiet corner of the park. I tried my best not to be distracted by the birds and passing tractors. It was a nice way to get acquainted with Mindfulness.
Jeu de boules
This summer, there were also activities we organised ourselves. In June, we opened the pétanque/jeu de boules court, which is now used almost daily. There’s a tournament each last Friday of the month, and there’s already talk of doing it more often. An enthusiastic group of volunteers supports all the activities.
Open-air cinema
At the end of August, several volunteers from Proef organised an open-air cinema in the park, and it was a great success. It was their first time, so it was a huge surprise that all 150 tickets were sold out. That left me wanting more. I hadn’t expected it to be such a special experience. A wonderful way to end the summer.
It might seem like you always have to do something with a larger group. Of course, you’re welcome to enjoy the park on your own. If you have a good idea for an activity in the park, organise it yourself or ask us for advice. This way, the park remains a place to meet people, have fun, and do things together.
Rob van Acker
(core team member)
