It seemed so beautiful. A three-day Neighborhood Campsite at the end of July on the Van Veldekade along the Zuid-Willemsvaart in Den Bosch. But because in their view the municipality gives too little subsidy, the organization has decided against it. “There would be room for twenty caravans, a jeu-de-boules court, tents and maybe a stage under the bridge,” says Nick van der Schoot as he walks across the quay. “It had to be really fun.”
Nick lives nearby and explains how important such a campsite can be. “Many people in my neighborhood are lonely. At a Neighborhood Campsite like this, people can talk to each other more easily. That is important to me, because a good neighbor is better than a distant friend.”
The plan was to convert the Van Veldekade into Buurtcamping on 22, 23 and 24 July, but money is needed for that. The organization is asking 5000 euros, but the municipality only wants to give 750 euros. “The site is still full of weeds, there are no toilets and no water supplies. That is why we desperately need the money. We blame the municipality that the campsite cannot continue because of this,” says Nick.
“The organization just can’t manage financially.”
Paula Terpstra is director of the organization: “The Buurtcamping was intended to get to know your neighbors better in the Zuid-Willemspark. Campers are all open to new contacts and friendships. People often feel safer and more pleasant after those three days, because they know that they can now turn to their neighbors with problems.”
Paula thinks it’s a missed opportunity for the neighborhood: “The organization just can’t manage it financially. I am very sad about this.”
“Next year, the Buurtcamping can join the Stadscamping.”
The Buurtcamping was supposed to be a foretaste of the Stadscamping that will be opened at that location in the spring of 2023. Nick says: “De Stadscamping is a commercial initiative for everyone who wants to camp in Den Bosch. The Buurtcamping can then join in nicely, so that the neighborhood can camp for three days before the Stadscamping opens. We hope that the site will be renovated by then.”
The Bossche Groenen has asked council questions to B and W. The party wants the municipality to make an amount available every year. The mayor will answer this question at the council meeting on Tuesday.
