Just before the holidays, Helena Ruiz Fabra addressed the following question to the Mayor and Aldermen:

Green spaces play a fundamental role in the urban fabric

They are places for breathing, relaxation, meeting, and well-being for all residents. Their importance is even greater for those who do not have access to a private garden, as well as for children and young people. As a nearby, free, and accessible leisure option, parks offer a real sense of escape in daily life — something particularly appreciated in a dense municipality like Etterbeek. This social function becomes especially central during the warmer months, notably for families or those who cannot leave the city during the holidays.

The particularly favourable weather conditions we are currently experiencing have led us to relay a request expressed by many residents: a review of park opening hours during certain months of the year.

It is well known that in May and September, days are long (the sun sets well after 8 p.m.) and that the weather often encourages late use of green spaces.

These months can even be more pleasant for outdoor activities than July or August. In this context, the early closure of certain parks — sometimes as early as 6:30 p.m. — seems out of step with residents’ daily rhythms, particularly for those who work during the day and can only enjoy the parks in the late afternoon or early evening.

Take, for example, Parc Hap, where significant public investments have been made, where attendance is high, and where community gardens are in place.

Would it not make sense to consider a more gradual approach to opening hours — for instance, closing at 8 p.m. in May and September and 9 p.m. in June, July, and August — taking into account both local specificities and the concrete needs of users?

As for summer, we note that while closing at 9 p.m. is sometimes foreseen in July, closing at 8 p.m. in August seems premature. August evenings still enjoy good daylight and pleasant temperatures, comparable to those in July, allowing residents to spend more time outdoors. Would it not be relevant to extend opening until 9 p.m. in August as well?

Furthermore, there appears to be a lack of consistency between the opening hours of the various municipal parks, which vary considerably from one site to another, without any clearly identifiable logic.

We are aware that greater flexibility in opening hours implies increased involvement of municipal staff responsible for supervision and closure of the parks, as well as an additional cost for the community. However, we believe it is essential to view these investments not only in financial or organisational terms, but also in light of the social, health, and environmental benefits they can generate: improved well-being, strengthened social cohesion, wider access to green spaces after daily obligations, and long-term enhancement of public spaces.

We would therefore like to raise the following questions:

1. Could the College consider extending park opening hours — at least for the most frequented ones — with opening until 9 p.m. in August and 8 p.m. in May and September?
2. Could the College also consider harmonising opening hours between the various municipal parks, ensuring overall consistency and stronger public communication about these schedules?

Such an evolution would not only meet the concrete expectations of park users but also help to better highlight our parks as essential living spaces at the heart of Etterbeek, contributing to collective well-being and social cohesion.

We thank you in advance for your attention and your commitment to a more sustainable, fair, and responsive management of our green spaces.