Will the rare nudibranchs or beach volleyball players get more space in Sparnepark?

Will there still be room for urban farming and garden picking when Sparn Park is redeveloped, or will it just be sports fields? Starting today, Harlem residents can submit their opinions on two different redesign options.

Many sports clubs in Harlem are sounding the alarm, as became clear last week during a discussion within the municipal committee. The federations believe they will run out of space with more than 1,700 homes arriving in Schalkwyk and the expected influx of athletes. In one of the two redevelopment plans, they will not get any additional fields.

A little further

Concerns differ for each association. For example, Olympia Sports Club emphasizes that their sports residency must meet certain conditions, because their women’s team plays in the highest league. But the 100-year-old canoe club believes the municipality has little knowledge about what is required for water sports. Overhout racquet club, Human Fabrics yoga center and Bavo Beach beach volleyball club are not happy either.

The volleyball club wants to expand due to the tremendous growth in membership numbers. More than 500 members joined last year, and the club expects to grow by another 100 athletes. It is precisely these fields that, according to the various political parties, could be transferred to the Rinalda Park or to the Molenplas.

Rare nudibranchs

It is precisely this expansion of volleyball courts that will be at the expense of another branch of the sport, which is gardening. The creation of various parks on the five “empty” football pitches of the bankrupt Young Boys club appears to be significantly stimulating biodiversity in the area. People with disabilities work in vegetable gardening, school, picking, and gardening.

The increase in biodiversity means that 21 snails live there, including two very rare mollusk species. This is evidenced by a recent study conducted by experts in cooperation with local residents. The wandering field snail and the Spanish road snail are rarely spotted in the Netherlands. According to biologist Menno Schilthuizen, the mosaic of different types of gardens is an important reason for the snail’s success.

Floor consultant Roduner admits that choosing between beach volleyball or volleyball is difficult. Votes are also divided in the municipal council. The Community Development Authority insists on maintaining the number of sports counters. In contrast, parties such as GroenLinks, Party for the Animals, as well as the VVD, are explicitly in favor of the preservation of urban agriculture. They particularly believe that the work of the Ecoring Foundation should not be lost. This organization is committed to attracting teenagers and young adults to gardening.

To elect

According to Rodoner, all this does not fit in Sparnpark and so a decision must be made. In order not to “cut one’s body”, he does not think it is a good idea to allow sports clubs and garden clubs to participate in the decision-making process. The consultation period on the vision for the Sparn Park area will continue for a further six weeks. After that, the previously divided city council will have to decide.