In the play forest, kids and their parents learn about the animals of the national park, especially the species that live on the Mechelse Heide. The silver-studded blue butterfly is the central figure that leads the kids through the play forest from one adventurous encounter to another. In addition to a fox creep, a snake creep, a deer and toad jump, a lizard run, a wild boar disappearing trick, and building nests with the stonechat, an amphitheatre was set up where stories can be told or where Rangers, teachers, or playground workers can teach or address the children in an ‘outdoor classroom’.
Open play dune:
But there’s more: right next to the Beestige Boelbos and surrounded by the Zandloper Path is a play dune and a pool with a water game and a climbing tree to complete the fun.
Accessibility:
The play forest/dune is accessible via the large stone entrance wall to the Mechelse Heide, in the immediate vicinity of the Zandloper Path.
Realisation:
The Beestige Boelbos is a project that was made possible with funding from the Flemish Government’s Agency for Nature and Forests and came about through a cooperation between Agency for Nature and Forests, the Regional Landscape Kempen and Maasland, the municipality of Maasmechelen, and Speelpleinwerking de Saenhoeve. The construction of the play forest was expertly done by Natureplay.
Contact:
W: www.mechelseheide.be
E: visit@maasmechelen.be
T: +32 89769888
Address: Joseph Smeetslaan 280, 3630 Maasmechelen