Experience

ANTWERP | Approval of final design phase 1 Merksemse Tuinen of Ringpark Groenendaal

Posted by Timothy on

The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp approved the final design for phase 1 of the Merksemse Tuinen or Merksem Gardens of Ringpark Groenendaal – you guessed it – Merksem . As with Ringpark Het Schijn, construction can start earlier here too, namely in the autumn of 2025.

A construction zone will be released early in 2025 in the roadside landscape along the Antwerp Ring towards the Netherlands, from Ganzemate to the Burgemeester Jozef Masurebrug. As a result, this part of Ringpark Groenendaal, phase 1 of the so-called Merksemse Tuinen, can be realised earlier. This concerns a zone of approximately 700 metres long and 30 metres wide, between the temporary bypass that is being built by Lantis and the buildings.

By constructing this part of the park early, a green space and green buffer for the neighbourhood can be realised more quickly. The final design for this is now ready.

Three parts

The design of the entire Merksemse Tuinen subzone consists of three parts:

  • A zone with a verge and noise barrier along the redeveloped Ring;
  • A central open park zone;
  • And a nature zone that connects valuable nature and where water from the neighbourhood is collected to locally infiltrate into the soil.

In this first phase, parts of this nature zone and open park zone will already be constructed. This along a temporary verge and noise barrier next to the bypass of the Ring that is currently being constructed by Lantis.

Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA): “One of the main points of attention is the preservation of a quiet zone, which is mainly intended for the neighbourhood. Many residents consider the return of a green and planted zone as a buffer between the motorway to be important. The neighbourhood is currently and in the coming years experiencing nuisance from the Oosterweel works. That is why it is also important to avoid double works and to introduce the residents around the construction zone to the benefits of De Grote Verbinding at an early stage.” 

Ecological corridor

Along Geertshoek and Meierhoek, an ecological corridor will be set up. This is part of an ecological north-south connection across the various Ring Parks. It will also provide the necessary water buffering, as an additional measure to protect the Rietschoorvelden district from flooding.

Space for the neighbourhood

Pending the construction of the rest of the park, an open space will be retained in the northern part. This will take the form of a large lawn for free use by the neighbourhood.

All connections across the ecological corridor are already provided, these bridges form the future connection of the district with the rest of the Ring Park. Together with the construction of a grass path along the visual verge next to the bypass, a walkable route will be created.

A dog walking area will be created adjacent to Meierhoek and Ganzemate.

Planning

The next steps are to submit the environmental permit application and appoint a contractor to carry out the works. The works will start in the autumn of 2025 and will last approximately six months.

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