On June 16, 2025, the nature spot and catering facility Wereld van Weelde in the Nieuw Wulven forest opened its doors to the public. A great reason for Deputy Mirjam Sterk, head of Staatsbosbeheer Utrecht Jelka Both, and Houten councilor Wouter van den Berg to visit the new recreational facility and celebrate this milestone together with entrepreneur Saskia Hogendoorn. Wereld van Weelde was made possible with financial contributions from the province of Utrecht.
Wereld van Weelde is a colorful nature spot in the Nieuw Wulven forest area, right in the Green Grows Along example area Kromme Rijn Linie Landscape external link. In that area, the demand for green recreational space remains high. And that demand will only grow with the many homes that will be added in our region over the coming decades. Therefore, Wereld van Weelde, which is easily accessible to everyone, is warmly welcomed by Deputy Mirjam Sterk.
Literally a World of Wealth
“This place is now literally a World of Wealth,” says Mirjam Sterk. “Here, visitors can see where the vegetables and fruits for the restaurant grow, where biodiversity has received a significant boost, where children can play freely and get dirty, and where both children and adults can engage in activities in nature. Wereld van Weelde contributes to making the existing Nieuw Wulven even more attractive for recreational visitors, as well as for animals and plants.”
Two subsidy schemes
The province has contributed financially at various times to the development of Wereld van Weelde. The new exit from the Ring Road to Nieuw Wulven, including the new parking lot, has been jointly funded by Staatsbosbeheer, the municipality of Houten, and the province. Additionally, Wereld van Weelde has been able to utilize two provincial subsidy schemes.
The contribution from the Recreation and Tourism subsidy scheme is used by Wereld van Weelde to create new play facilities, improve accessibility, adjust paths to withstand heavy rainfall, install charging points for electric bicycles, and plant experiential and edible plants, shrubs, and trees.
The contribution from the Experience Nature subsidy scheme is utilized by Wereld van Weelde to realize nature experience spots (indoors and outdoors), a sensory route, and educational information provision.
An example of Green Grows Along
The search once began with the desire for catering in Nieuw Wulven, Mirjam Sterk recalls, but the final result has become so much more than that. I am convinced that this place will soon be discovered by residents from Houten, Bunnik, and beyond. And thus, it is an exemplary project for Green Grows Along external link, the ambition to let recreational green, nature, water, and landscape grow alongside the rising number of homes in the province of Utrecht.”
For press information:
jytte.reichert@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 18 54 01 37