Alken (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Alken is transforming De Alk into Alken Vallei, improving nature, tourism, and flood control. The Grote Herk river will be restored. Playground De Alk closes, but Alderman Secretin ensures new playgrounds across town. Work starts in 2025.
The town of Alken, Province of Limburg, Belgium is renovating. They are turning a recreation area called De Alk into Alken Vallei. Officials mentioned that the project will make the area nicer and help protect the environment. One big part of the project is fixing the Herkvallei to stop flooding in the town. They will open up the Grote Herk River. There will be a new platform by the river where people can relax and learn about nature.
According to the officials, the project will also improve nature, tourism, education, and how people get around. There will be new paths for walking and biking. Work is supposed to start in 2025.
How is Alken ensuring play areas for kids during park renovation?
The town of Alken is making sure kids still have places to play while they are making the new park. They are taking the old playground equipment from De Alk and giving it to other neighbourhoods. Each neighbourhood will also get new playground equipment.
Officials mentioned that they are being careful with the environment by using old things instead of throwing them away. The town wants to make Alken a better place for everyone, including kids.
Some of the equipment will go to the park by the library, the Hakkeveld playground, and the after-school program in the town centre. In Terkoest, they will put new playground equipment at the d’Erckenteel Community Centre and in the Wissenboske area.
In Sint-Joris, they will put equipment at the after-school program and in front of the school. Officials mentioned that kids will have more places to play in different parts of town. The town wants to make sure there are fun places for kids to play everywhere while the new park is being built.
The town of Alken knows that closing the De Alk playground is inconvenient, especially in the summer. They want people to use the smaller playgrounds in different neighbourhoods instead. They are also asking neighbourhoods to ask for “play streets,” which are streets where cars aren’t allowed so kids can play safely.
The town wants to make sure kids have fun places to play even while the new park is being built. Alderman Secretin mentioned that the new park is going to be amazing, but they haven’t decided exactly what it will look like yet. The old playground will close sometime soon, but the town hopes the new one will be ready by next summer.
