Today, H.R.H. Princess Beatrix, patron of Jantje Beton, visited the partially renovated play and meeting area in Queen Wilhelmina Park on Saba. She engaged in a conversation with children about outdoor play on Saba.
Lack of Attention to Outdoor Play
Jantje Beton has found that in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, there is insufficient attention to adequate play areas, quality playgrounds, and optimal play opportunities for children. This is also true on Saba, the smallest inhabited island, where playgrounds are scarce due to the island's structure, and childhood obesity rates are high. Research by the Public Health Department of Saba (2023) even shows that 1 in 3 primary school children suffer from being overweight or obesity (19% and 14%, respectively).
Together with the local government, the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS), and the National Postcode Lottery, Jantje Beton is renovating two playgrounds on Saba. Work has already begun in Queen Wilhelmina Park.
Queen Wilhelmina Park: Play and Meeting Space on Saba
Queen Wilhelmina Park is a centrally located park in The Bottom, the capital of Saba, serving as a green meeting space on the island. Jantje Beton, along with children and residents, created a new design for the park that considers various needs related to play, socializing, and nature. Construction has already started, and Mascha van Werven, Director-Executive of Jantje Beton, and Jonathan Johnson, governor of Saba, guided Princess Beatrix through the park. Together, they spoke with children about the importance of outdoor play and quality playgrounds on Saba. The Princess then unveiled the new name sign for Queen Wilhelmina Park.
Mascha van Werven, Director-Executive of Jantje Beton: "We are honored that H.R.H. Princess Beatrix has come to visit our work on Saba. Thanks in part to the support of the Ministry of VWS and the National Postcode Lottery we can renovate multiple playgrounds on the islands in collaboration with the local government, encouraging children in the Caribbean part of our Kingdom to play outside. Playing and being active are crucial and contribute to growing up happily and healthily. Jantje Beton believes that ‘Every child should be able to play outside, every day!’”
Jantine Homan, MT Member of Care and Youth Caribbean Netherlands VWS: "We have found a great partner in Jantje Beton for the development of playgrounds in the Caribbean part of our Kingdom. By actively involving children, the playgrounds are frequently used. Together, we developed a playground in Bonaire with positive results, and several others are underway. On Saba, we also want to provide more play opportunities for children.”
Island Governor Jonathan Johnson: “The value of outdoor play for our children cannot be overstated, as it offers multiple benefits for both physical and socio-emotional growth. Having HRH Princess Beatrix present to open the revamped park has been an honor, and we extend our gratitude to HRH Princess Beatrix, the Ministry of VWS, and Jantje Beton for their continuing dedication to the children of Saba. We also thank our Department of Public Health and Sport for their work on this project and the community for contributing their feedback.”
