A visit to the Bentwoud recreation area is now even more enjoyable. On Tuesday, January 20, Anne Koning, Deputy for Recreation, Tourism and Sports, opened a new hospitality venue: BentGoud. “What a wonderful milestone to officially open BentGoud today!” said Anne Koning just before cutting the ribbon. “Together with our area partners, we have created a large recreation area here: a place to exercise, relax and enjoy nature.”
Bentpoort Recreation Concentration Point
With an area of over 800 hectares and 80 kilometers of walking and cycling paths, Bentwoud is the largest contiguous forest area in the Randstad. Bentwoud, located between Zoetermeer, Benthuizen, Waddinxveen and Boskoop, offers space for rest, relaxation and exercise. The various recreational opportunities in Bentwoud, such as a play forest, mountain bike route and golf course, are mainly located on the west side of the area. To make the northern side more attractive as well, the Bentpoort recreation concentration point is being realized here: a gathering place with (public) facilities that make Bentwoud an even more pleasant recreation area.
Provincial Subsidy
As the owner of the largest part of Bentwoud, the province of South Holland has contributed financially to the realization of the Bentpoort recreation concentration point. From the subsidy scheme Quality Impulse Recreation, an amount of €450,000 has been made available for a parking lot, a playground, the development and accessibility of the area, and for the realization of the recreation gate itself and thus a public toilet facility. With the opening of BentGoud, Bentwoud not only has a nice new hospitality venue, but also the public toilet facility that recreationists have been eagerly awaiting. Anne Koning: “Good facilities and accessibility really make the difference. Thanks to the good cooperation between the province of South Holland, the municipalities of Alphen aan den Rijn, Zoetermeer and Waddinxveen, Staatsbosbeheer and the company Van der Spek, we have created a large recreation area here.”
Good Neighbor
The subsidy for the realization of Bentpoort was granted to the company Van der Spek. The landscaping company is located right next to the recreation concentration point and has been maintaining Bentwoud for some time on behalf of co-owner and manager Staatsbosbeheer. When the province of South Holland offered the adjacent 3-hectare plot in 2019, the Van der Spek brothers bought it with grand plans. Plans that the province is happy to support. A good neighbor indeed!
Sustainable Choices
Restaurant BentGoud was realized by Van der Spek but is operated by Dustin Schouten and Arjan Vianen. Both nature lovers who care for nature and their environment. With BentGoud, they make as many sustainable choices as possible; for example, the building is made of wood and recycled materials. Conscious choices are also reflected in BentGouds menu. They work with local and seasonal products and to prevent waste, the menu is kept compact.
Schouten and Vianen find it important that everyone feels welcome at BentGoud. We have created different places for all kinds of groups, Schouten says. There are special tables set up to sit with your dog and children will soon be able to play happily in the enclosed nature playground.
Come to Bentwoud and visit BentGoud (opens in a new window)!