New agreements ensure that Bentwoud remains a good recreational area. The Province of South Holland, Staatsbosbeheer, and the municipalities of Alphen aan den Rijn, Waddinxveen, and Zoetermeer have signed an agreement for the management and maintenance of the largest contiguous recreational forest in South Holland.

Bentwoud, with 800 hectares, is the largest contiguous recreational forest in the province. With a new cooperation agreement between municipalities, Staatsbosbeheer, and the province, the area is guaranteed good maintenance. For the 2.5 million planted trees and over 80 kilometers of walking and cycling paths, good management of the area is very important. Despite financial challenges, this new agreement ensures management until 2029.

Happy with new agreements

Alphen aan den Rijn, Waddinxveen, and Zoetermeer, together with the province and Staatsbosbeheer, ensure that Bentwoud remains an attractive area for recreation and plant and animal species.

Deputy Anne Koning is pleased with the new agreements. “As the owner of a large part of the area, South Holland finds it very important that people can truly enjoy the greenery here and be active. These new agreements ensure that,” she explains. “Together we are turning Bentwoud from a young recreational area into a forest that is indispensable in South Holland.”

Precious greenery

Bentwoud lies between the centers of Zoetermeer, Benthuizen, and Boskoop and within the municipalities of Alphen aan den Rijn and Waddinxveen. The area is two-thirds owned by the Province of South Holland and one-third by Staatsbosbeheer. “Bentwoud is a beautiful recreational area and a good example of how nature management and recreation go hand in hand,” says Paul Laudy, head of Staatsbosbeheer South Holland. “Staatsbosbeheer is happy with this cooperation with the province and municipalities. So close to the city, it is very important that we work together to strengthen precious greenery and the well-being of our residents.”

Municipal policy

Especially for neighboring municipalities, Bentwoud is an important recreational area. This is also reflected in their municipal policies. For example, Zoetermeer describes in its Spatial Strategy the development of a contiguous green ring around the city, of which Bentwoud is part. Marijke van der Meer, alderwoman for Nature and Environment in Zoetermeer: “Bentwoud is just around the corner for Zoetermeer. It is one of the parks on the edges of our city and offers recreational opportunities, nature, and green space to the residents of Zoetermeer, but certainly also to visitors from the wider area. Caring for these parks is a major and important task. By entering into the Bentwoud Cooperation Agreement, we continue the joint care for this beautiful area.”

For Alphen aan den Rijn, Bentwoud is one of its ABBA icons (Archeon, Bentwoud, Boskoop, Avifauna). “By signing this new cooperation agreement, we are taking an important step to further develop Bentwoud as a gateway to the Green Heart. This beautiful natural area has that potential due to its location and possibilities for recreation and nature development,” says Relus Breeuwsma, alderman for Recreation and Tourism in Alphen aan den Rijn.

The environmental vision and the municipal council of Waddinxveen also recognize Bentwoud as one of the qualities most appreciated by residents. “Bentwoud is a recreational area with beautiful nature where more and more Waddinxveen residents like to walk and cycle, close to home,” says Albert Kerssies, alderman for Nature and Recreation in Waddinxveen.

“With this new agreement, good arrangements are in place to jointly work for a beautiful Bentwoud for everyone. And, we hope in time for an ecological connection zone with the new Vredenburg zone.”

Ambitions

Today, Bentwoud is a beloved and important recreational area. Forest, shrubs, flower-rich grasslands, marshes, and open spaces; Bentwoud has a varied landscape. But the area is not finished yet. The Bentwoud Development Perspective from 2022 outlines several ambitions for the area.

With projects such as forest revitalization, forest management plans, and improvement of cycling and walking paths, Bentwoud will receive a major upgrade and will continue to develop as a recreational area with much nature in the coming years. Kerssies: “Besides the agreements in the cooperation agreement, Waddinxveen, as part of the development program, also continues to work on better accessibility and awareness of Bentwoud, and we seek connections with the surrounding areas.”

Natural relaxation for everyone

As a mature and lively forest, Bentwoud offers natural relaxation for everyone: various paths and routes for active people, challenging mountain bike and training routes for sports enthusiasts, and a recreation zone where peace and nature are central for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. “Bentwoud is an oasis in the middle of the Randstad, and we in South Holland can be very proud of that,” concludes Deputy Koning.