Park Beekdal is taking shape. The park aims to be a place for everyone, offering space for sports, socializing, greenery, and shade. There are also opportunities for sustainable heat recovery and storage. All these plans are outlined in the new area vision for the valley between the Angerenstein, Geitenkamp, and Paasberg neighborhoods.
Part of a Green and Climate-Resilient City
Park Beekdal helps Arnhem prepare for the climate of the future. The park ensures that water from heavy rainfall is captured and can be reused during dry periods. Additionally, it creates a place in the city center where residents can find shade on hot days. The park will also connect with other parks in the city, forming a green route from the Veluwe to the rivers in the city. Finally, there are opportunities for the energy transition. For example, heat could be captured from the artificial turf fields, and a local heating network could be established. These plans will be further developed with involved parties.
Alderman for Green and Climate Adaptation Cathelijne Bouwkamp: “In the past, stream valleys played an important role in water drainage, also in the historic landscape of our city. Just as the stream helped to drain water then, it helps our city in the future. With water retention, greenery to combat heat stress, and opportunities to sustainably recover and store heat, the park shows how we prepare Arnhem for climate change.”
Meeting, Sports, and Recreation
The plans for Park Beekdal also focus on sports, exercise, and socializing. There will be space for various sports clubs that already have a presence in the valley. The park will also be a place where residents can walk along the stream and where local primary school students can play and exercise. Park Beekdal will also form a connection between the surrounding neighborhoods Angerenstein, Geitenkamp, and Paasberg.
Alderman for Sports Bob Roelofs: “In Park Beekdal, residents will be able to engage in sports and exercise in many ways. You can join one of the wonderful clubs Arnhem has to offer, or simply take a walk or exercise in the greenery. The valley will thus become a part of the Arnhem community again.”
Idea from Residents
The valley is currently poorly accessible to residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and consists of a fragmented area with two intersecting roads and fenced-off fields, while the area has great potential. Over the years, the valley has developed from a landscape with farms into an area with sports fields and social functions. The idea for a park in the valley originated in 2018 from a group of residents. They presented this to the municipality, which then took action. After many discussions with stakeholders, residents, and associations, there is now an area vision on which the municipality can build further.