Associations
The so-called ‘fireworks refugees’ are a market gap. ,,People start booking earlier and earlier. There are also more and more members of dog associations. Word gets around between the members’', says Gorter. And if your park is flooded with dog owners anyway, why not expand the concept, they thought at de Scheleberg. They did so with a special dog buffet in the restaurant and with outdoor activities for dogs and owners.
Sometimes there also are foreign guests, unaware of the fact that this is a fireworks-free park. ,,If there are people who don't know about the fireworks ban, I'll just drive them to another location on New Years Eve. A little further away they can light all the fireworks they want. No problem.’' Each evening, two of the staff check whether the fireworks ban is being respected. ,,We use patrols to actively check on this.’'
Carbide shooting
You do, however, still hear bangs in the distance. Gorter: ,,Those are mostly explosions from youngsters who are carbide-shooting. That's what happens in this area. You can't completely prevent all bangs, but it's only in the distance. You don't hear direct bangs from fireworks here.’’
Once in a while, Truffel lifts his head when he hears the bangs in the distance. ,,But he's so quiet compared to how he usually would be at home during this time of year. He'd just be shaking there. ’', says Petra. The days around New Years Eve are 'not as fun as before' since they have a dog. ,,I really don't care about the fireworks, so I'm glad once it's over again.”
On New Years Day, they go home again. If there are still people in the neighbourhood playing with fire crackers, they'd better watch out for Rinus. ,,I'm not spending my money on a holiday home to still suffer from fireworks at home. Don't mess with me.’’
