Netherlands: Efteling to Build New Inclusive Play Area for Children

As of summer 2021, the youngest visitors to the family-friendly Efteling theme park in the Netherlands will be able to explore a new, inclusive play area. In the so-called “Nest!“, children will be offered a “quiet” alternative to exciting adrenaline attractions in the “Ruigrijk” theme area of the park. Located between the “De Vliegende Hollander” water coaster and the “Game Gallery”, the playground will offer several elements themed to the various Efteling rollercoasters. All paths leading through and around the new playground will be completely barrier-free. Inclusive play elements will include elevated sandboxes and a wheelchair slide. In addition to versatile playground elements, there will also be relaxation zones.

“Our youngest guests can feel comfortable and safe there, like in a nest. That is why we want to give this name to the new play forest,“ explains Fons Jurgens, chairman of the Efteling. Construction of the inclusive play forest, which will replace the children’s wave carousel “Polka Marina“ after 36 years in operation, is scheduled to start in January 2021 and be completed by summer. A total of two million euros will be invested into the project. (eap)