Te Boelaerpark Play Fountain

Te Boelaerpark is one of the parks within the city of Antwerp and covers 16 hectares. It is located in the Borgerhout extra muros district between the Gitschotelei and the Arthur Matthyslaan. The former ornamental pond with fountain in the park was outdated. The neighbourhood requested a water element for children and this led to the plan to convert the existing ornamental pond into a play fountain.

The city of Antwerp wrote a Design & Build procedure. The design opted to add something to the Te Boelaerpark, befitting the history and existing design of the park. One design gesture was introduced in the shape of a simplified circular labyrinth. In this way, the entire grassy area between the existing roads is involved as a water playground in the park. Also, the area of the play fountain remains interesting and usable at times when the water is off due to weather conditions.

The play fountain can be accessed by all users (including the disabled) via radial paths. In the middle there is a plane with a diameter of 10 m with 37 spouts. This is where the water playground originates with radial water beams of different heights.

The fountain can be manipulated by the users at the push of a button. Thus, in standard mode, the fountain is switched on with only the high central spout or with a water surface. At the touch of the button, the other spouts of the water fountain start up and the labyrinth is activated. The organic interplay of lines makes it look attractive and challenges sports and games.