Case Details
Location
Netherlands
Customer
Segbroek College
Sector
Age group
14+
User capacity
20+
Listen to the voices of tweens & teens
A few years ago, Segbroek College noticed that an increasing number of tweens and teens stopped playing on the playground and instead kept inside during breaks. The school wanted to increase the students' physical activity, and to make sure the new activity area became a success, they incorporated the students' and their opinions throughout the process.
The community and local authorities got involved in helping fund the project, resulting in a large new outdoor fitness area, frequently used during breaks, outside school hours, and on weekends.
"If I were to give a tip to other schools looking to create an exercise-friendly environment, it would be to involve students in the process [...] As adults, we have a lot of ideas about what the area should look like, but you want to know what the kids want."
Antoin Hoovers, PE Teacher, Segbroek College
Increase exercise during school hours
The new outdoor fitness playground caters to the wants and needs of the 12-18-year-old students at Segbroek College. The area is divided into 3 zones – each separated by different colored surfacing and targeting different interests.
The blue zone is a place where the students can hang out or do parkour on the concrete elements.
The yellow zone is loaded with various calisthenics stations where the students can work out during or after school hours.
The green zone is a multi-game court used frequently for various ball games.
Teens and tweens are advised to be physically active for 60 minutes a day, and the new activity area helps accommodate this advice from the World Health Organization (WHO). According to research, up to 100% of the 60 minutes of physical activity can be covered during school hours if the schoolyard holds suitable play activities. Read more research about tweens and teens here.
If you dream of a new activity area for your school, you can check your funding options here.
Physical
Joy of movement: motor skills, muscle, cardio and bone density
Social-Emotional
Joy of being together: teamwork, tolerance and sense of belongingEquipment at this park
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