Adopt a Municipal Green Space

There are three ways you can participate in Adopt-a-Green:

Tree base

This is the area around a tree's trunk. You can help keep this area clean and green.

Planting Bed

This is a municipal green space measuring up to 20 m². You will be responsible for maintaining this area. You may also plant your own plants, provided you follow our guidelines. To do so, you must submit a clear plan of action when you apply. We explain this in more detail in the application form. 

Small Facade Garden

This is a small garden along the side of your house on city-owned land, up to four meters wide. We’ll create this garden for you. For facade gardens, we wait until we have multiple requests before we assign the project to our contractor. So please ask your neighbors to join in. That will make the installation easier and faster.

What are the rules of the game?

Together, we’re making the neighborhood greener, more beautiful, and a nicer place to live. We do this with “ Health ” for the environment, the plants, and each other. Read the rules for “ ” below. That’s how we keep things tidy together.

• The land remains our property (the municipality's).
• We reserve the right to terminate the agreement. This may be necessary, for example, due to planned or unplanned work, or due to changes in the surrounding area.
• The landscaping must meet the quality standards we have established. This includes the following:
  • the greenery looks well-maintained;
  • there are few or no weeds;
  • there is no litter;
  • the plants are healthy;
  • the passageway remains clear, for example on the sidewalk.
• If the adopted green space does not meet these requirements, you (the adopter) will first receive a written warning. From that point on, you will have one month to restore the green space to the required standard. If you are unable to do so, we will terminate the agreement, and you must restore the adopted green space to its original condition.
• You are responsible for canceling your subscription to "Adoptie Groen."
• A separate procedure applies to facade gardens. For facade gardens, we wait until we have received multiple requests before we assign the project to our contractor. So please ask your neighbors to join in. This will make the installation easier and faster.
• You are responsible for purchasing any new plants.
• To protect your health, you may not plant fruit-bearing plants. Vegetable gardens are therefore not permitted.
• We encourage you to choose plants that remain beautiful throughout all four seasons.
• We also encourage you to use a mix of perennials and annuals or biennials.
• You may not plant invasive plant species or invasive plants, such as Japanese knotweed.
• Plants with spines or thorns are also not allowed.
• Voorne aan Zee has what are known as “hotspots.” These are busy areas, such as the fortress and the shopping centers. These areas are excluded from the program for adopting a plant bed. Plant beds adjacent to the road are also ineligible for adoption. This is for the sake of traffic safety and the safety of residents.

• At least two adopters are required. Together, you may adopt up to three tree pits.
• We remain responsible for the management and maintenance of the tree.
• You must keep the tree pit clean and well-maintained.
• Do not remove or damage the tree's roots.
• Do not raise the tree pit. This can damage the tree.
• You may only place plants in the tree pit. Other objects, such as statues, flowerpots, or garden gnomes, are not allowed.
• The plants may grow to a maximum height of 60 cm. This ensures safety, for example, for traffic.
• You are not allowed to plant climbing plants.
• You may not place a fence or any other barrier around the tree pit.

• At least three adopters are needed. Together, you may adopt a maximum of 20 m² of planting space.
• Plants may be no more than 60 cm tall.
• You may not remove existing, healthy plants. We can only make an exception to this rule after consulting with us.
• Maintenance and management include, among other things:
  • weeding;
  • Keep the planting bed clean;
  • weeding;
  • watering during a drought;
  • Perform minor pruning.
• You may redesign the planting beds yourself. To do so, you must submit a plan of action. We have compiled a list of permitted plants for this purpose. You can find this list and the instructions for the plan of action in the registration form.
• The planting area must remain accessible to our employees and contractors.
   

• We'll help you set up your vertical garden. We'll build the frame and fill the vertical garden with soil.
• A facade garden may be no more than 45 cm deep and 4 meters wide.
• A facade garden is permitted only for homes where the facade borders municipal land and there is no front yard.
• You (the adopter) are responsible for managing and maintaining the facade garden.
• Tall plants are permitted. However, they must be securely fastened to the house so that they do not fall over.
• Plants growing outside the facade garden must not block the passageway.
• We bundle applications for facade gardens. This allows us to install multiple facade gardens at the same time.
• When moving out, check with the new residents to see if they would like to take over the front-yard garden.
• If the new residents don't want that, you'll need to cancel the facade garden with us. We'll then remove the facade garden.
   

Interested? Sign up using the button below. After you fill out the registration form, we'll contact you by email.

Sign up for Adopt a Green Space

Need help arranging or applying for something through the digital government? Please contact the Digital Government Information Center.

Small Facade Garden

Would you like a small facade garden? If so, ask your neighbors to join in. It looks great and saves time and money during installation. For facade gardens, we wait until we have several requests so we can place an order with our contractor.