Adoption Green

Would you like to maintain (together with your neighbors) a piece of public green space? You can! We call this adoption green space. 

Adoption green space offers residents the opportunity to embrace and maintain public green space together, while the municipality retains ownership. Together with your neighbors, you can take care of the greenery by, for example, planting greenery, hoeing and watering.

What you need to know

Important information:

  • The piece of greenery always remains the property of the municipality. 
  • You may not add it to your own garden. 
  • The minimum size for new adoptable green space is 10m². 
  • It is important that several neighbors and/or street companions are also enthusiastic about the idea of having adoptable greenery at that location and are willing to help. They can express their support in the application form.
  • Not all pieces of public green space are eligible for adoption green space. The municipality assesses whether adoption is possible on a spot-by-spot basis. Check the map of Green Types to see which areas are eligible. Only areas designated as neighborhood green space are eligible for adoption.
  • Applications submitted by Oct. 1 will be reviewed for the following year's planting season (March/April). You will receive a response to your application no later than November.
  • Adoption greens are issued once each year(usually in March and/or April).
  • The municipality can take back the public greenery if necessary or if the greenery is not properly maintained. Maintenance of the adopted greenery is reviewed annually by the municipality. 

Costs

Adopting greenery is free. The municipality provides the initial planting to get you started. After that, you are responsible for the cost of maintenance and any additional plantings and soil. 

Green waste from adoptive greenery 

Do you have large branches from adopted greenery that don't fit in your green waste container? Twice a year, during pruning seasons in April and October, the municipality collects bulky garden waste (pruning waste) from neighborhoods free of charge (branch route). Keep an eye on our website during those periods for more information.

Do you have a piece of adopted greenery of 100m² or larger? If so, you can get an additional green waste container for free. You can indicate this via the form. You must place this container on your own land. If you stop managing adopted greenery, you must return the container.

Questions about maintenance or want to stop adopting greenery?

Do you have questions about adoptable greenery you (already) manage or want to stop? If so, please fill out the form.

Request
  • Submit a request via the BuitenBeter app or via the online form.
  • Put in your application which spot you want to adopt. Existing trees in this spot will not be removed. 
  • A staff member will review your request in September or October.
  • If the spot is approved, you will receive a notice no later than November detailing how the application will proceed. Included in this are: 
    • The Adoption Green Agreement.
    • A plant list.
    • Tips for creating a planting plan.
  • Once the plan is approved, an agreement is entered into between the municipality and resident(s).
  • In March or April, the green space will be prepared for planting and the plants delivered by the district contractor. You will also receive an adoptive green sign. You can then begin planting and maintaining your adopted green space.