Oelegem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Sint-Lucia Primary School in Oelegem opened its new Green Oasis playground on December 12, 2025, supported by €15,000 from the Province, Jan De Haes, Katlin Hofmans, parents, and volunteers.
As Gva News reported, Sint-Lucia Primary School in Ranst, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, officially opened its new “Green Oasis at School” on Friday, Dec 12, 2025. The ribbon was cut during the Christmas market by Principal Kevin Francken, Provincial Executive Member Jan De Haes, and Alderman for Education Katlin Hofmans (PIT).
After the opening, the school received the Green Oasis label for creating a nature-friendly learning space. While the school was already considered green, the playground next to the main building had long been fully paved.
What makes Sint-Lucia School’s new Green Oasis playground special?
On Friday, December 12th, 2025, nearly 300 parents, students, and residents gathered at Sint-Lucia School for a Christmas market. The event also marked the official opening of the school’s new playground. Provincial Executive Member Jan De Haes, responsible for Environment and Nature, presented the school with the “Green Oases” label.
The project received €15,000 in support from the Province of Antwerp. Experts from the Voorkempen Regional Landscape offered guidance on planting, design, and project management. MOS Antwerp helped expand the project’s support network.
Officials mentioned that the playground was built with the help of the parent committee and volunteers, who contributed funding, installed equipment, and built a sandbox. The municipality of Ranst also supported the project by providing waste containers for rubble. The cooperation of the province, the city, local organisations, and volunteers made the project possible.
Since September 2025, teachers, parents, and the maintenance team worked together to remove 180 square meters of paving. They replaced it with a play hill with a viewing platform and slide, four new trees, woodland plants, perennials, and fruit-bearing “candy” trees. The area also includes a sandbox and a nest swing. In November 2025, students joined in planting, gaining hands-on experience with the new greenery.
