Leiden is the most play-friendly municipality in the Netherlands
Princess Beatrix, together with the children’s jury, presents the Jantje Beton Prize to the Leiden alderman Damen. (Photo: Jantje Beton).
Leiden, November 24, 2021, 9:49 PM by the editors
During a small-scale ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, Princess Beatrix, together with the children’s jury, presented the Jantje Beton Prize for the most play-friendly municipality in the Netherlands to the municipality of Leiden. Alderman Marleen Damen accepted the prize.
The winner of this first Jantje Beton Prize was announced in the presence of Princess Beatrix, the three nominated municipalities of Apeldoorn, Almere, Leiden, the professional jury and the children’s jury. Both the professional jury and the children’s jury praised the attention of the municipality of Leiden to inclusiveness. Tessa (11 years old): “I think it’s important that everyone can play: from young to old, from rich to poor, and if you are handicapped.”
In addition, the jury was pleased with the municipality of Leiden’s own play area standard, in which ten percent of the public space is designed as play area. Maxime Verhagen: “Even with limited public space, men very actively give room to play within that space.”
For the children’s jury, in addition to being inclusive, there were also many important things to work on. Safety was also an important criterion. All this came out well in the broadcast and back in the municipality of Leiden won first prize for the most friendly municipality. Jari (15 years old): “I had a very different image of Leiden beforehand and did not expect this municipality to win.”
For a year now, the municipality of Leiden has been the most play-friendly municipality in the Netherlands and can also propagate this. Jantje Beton makes various materials available for this. In addition, the municipality received a unique image of Jantje Beton from Princess Beatrix.
Yes! We have won. we are through #jantjebeton voted the most play-friendly municipality. Thanks to all colleagues, volunteers and the unbridled efforts of our policy adviser Saskia (beside me in the photo). pic.twitter.com/C1ivkSMnx7
— Marleen Damen (@MarleenDamen) November 24, 2021
Leiden Society