The Council of Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Antwerp has approved the final design for Ringpark Groene Vesten, a project that will connect eight sub-parks just outside the Antwerp Ring road into a continuous green belt. 

Park Brialmont has already been upgraded, and the new Pomppark Zuid near Antwerp-South Railway Station is currently under construction. This final design covers the remaining sub-parks along the Ring in Berchem, from Floraliënlaan to Rodekruislaan. A noise barrier wall will shield the parks from the Ring road, while a new Ring Path will provide a safe and smooth connection for cyclists and pedestrians. If everything proceeds as planned, construction of Leeuwerikpark, Polygoonpark, Bruggenpark and Groenenhoek will begin at the end of 2027.

Ringpark Groene Vesten covers an area equivalent to around 190 football fields and runs along both sides of the southern and eastern Ring, from Antwerp-South Railway Station to the junction with the E34/E313 at the Borgerhout–Deurne border. 

Today, the green spaces in this area are fragmented and heavily influenced by the Ring, functioning more as buffer zones than as places to walk, play or spend time. The Ringpark aims to change this and deliver tangible improvements in liveability for surrounding neighbourhoods in the near future, ahead of any future Ring road covering.

Alderman for Mobility Koen Kennis (N-VA) said: “On the new ‘Ring Path’, with six-metre-wide cycle paths, safe underpasses and a separate pedestrian lane, cycling along the Ring will soon be a pleasure. Thanks to noise barriers up to eight metres high shielding the park from traffic, a green and quiet belt will emerge from Floraliënlaan to Rodekruislaan. This way, we kill two birds with one stone: we make the surrounding neighbourhoods more liveable and achieve the modal shift Antwerp has been striving for. Ringpark Groene Vesten will be a place where you can easily cycle, walk and enjoy, in the middle of a park that today is still fragmented and noisy.”

Long green belt

The six sub-parks included in the approved final design together form a 2.7-kilometre-long green belt from Floraliënlaan to Rodekruislaan. The design further develops the preliminary plan approved in June 2024 and is the result of discussions during multiple workshops and Ring Days.

Intendant Alexander D’Hooghe said: “We are delighted that Ringpark Groene Vesten is moving into implementation. This allows us to achieve concrete gains in the southern Ring zone in the short term in terms of liveability: reducing noise in the park and residential streets, improving cycling connections and creating attractive park space.”

Ring Path for cyclists and pedestrians

The existing four-metre-wide Ring cycle path will be renewed. The new Ring Path will consist of a six-metre-wide cycle path and a two-metre-wide footpath. Its route has been carefully chosen to minimise impacts on existing trees and greenery. The Ring Path will connect supra-local cycling routes with neighbourhoods and pass under bridges, creating smooth and safe connections between park sections. The underpasses will also include ecological corridors to connect green areas and enable wildlife migration along the Ring.

Noise barrier wall

To reduce traffic noise from the Ring, a noise barrier wall up to eight metres high will be built along the entire length of the Ringpark, using grids filled with lava stone. On the park side, the wall will be integrated with greenery. Because the wall will be built close to the Ring, the park can be expanded in many places. The additional space will be used for the Ring Path and extra greenery, placing the park itself in a quieter zone. Raised green embankments will soften the height and visual impact of the wall.

Water management

Ringpark Groene Vesten will act as a ‘sponge’ for surrounding neighbourhoods. Wadis will collect rainwater from nearby areas and allow it to infiltrate the soil. A clay layer in the lowest sections will allow permanent water to remain, enabling the development of wet nature areas that contribute to biodiversity. All wadis will be connected into a single integrated water system.

Four sub-parks: from Leeuwerikpark to Groenenhoek

The development of Ringpark Groene Vesten will take place in phases. Park Brialmont has already been upgraded, and Pomppark Zuid is currently being built. The next phase will include Leeuwerikpark (including a cycle bridge over Grotesteenweg), Polygoonpark, Bruggenpark and Groenenhoek. Each sub-park will have its own identity and characteristics.

Leeuwerikpark

Leeuwerikpark is currently a long neighbourhood park with trees, lawns and a playground between the E19 and Coremansstraat. The design retains the park’s quiet character and provides additional space for rainwater buffering. Wet zones, wadis and diverse planting will boost biodiversity. The playground will be retained, with additional natural play elements such as boulders and tree trunks.

From Leeuwerikpark, the Ring Path will dive under Grotesteenweg, rise again and cross the Ring access ramp via a new cycle bridge before entering Park Brialmont through the noise barrier.

Polygoonpark

Polygoonpark is a narrow, elongated zone along Polygoonstraat and the Ring, with allotment gardens and a large dog park. The allotments will remain but be reorganised as part of the new park. A central meeting place, a renewed dog park and open spaces will be added. 

The Ring Path will wind through the park along green embankments and the noise barrier. As Polygoonpark lies at the same level as the Ring, an eight-metre-high wall is required, integrated with sloping green embankments. Walking paths will follow existing trees and be supplemented with boardwalks and seating areas. Additional trees, shrubs, grassland and wadis will be introduced.

Bruggenpark

This narrow strip lies between the Ring and the pillars of the Posthofbrug and the two railway bridges in Berchem. The design provides a safe, fast passage for the Ring Path, which will run under the bridges along the noise barrier. 

A key node is the connection with cycle highway F1, which joins the Ring Path at Posthof Bridge. Space will be provided for cyclists, pedestrians, water features and ecological connections.

Groenenhoek

Groenenhoek lies between the railway bridges and Borsbeekse Bridge. The design subtly references the former fortifications with curved shapes and low walls. The undulating terrain is ideal for wadis and water buffering. 

A recently acquired woodland area between buildings will be developed as a natural play zone with boardwalks and paths to the De Meere community centre. The existing playground and sports field on Corneel Jaspersstraat will be upgraded. The Ring Path will wind between green embankments along Edgar Tinelstraat, the woodland and the noise barrier, eventually descending under Borsbeeksebrug.

Future plans

At a later stage, two additional sub-parks could be developed: the park space near Floraliënlaan and Rodekruispark.

Partners and timeline

AG Vespa, Antwerp’s autonomous municipal real estate and urban development agency, is coordinating Ringpark Groene Vesten. The design team consists of Sweco, Greisch, Latz and SWP. The project has been developed in close collaboration with government bodies, citizen movements and numerous experts.

In 2026, the permit application and tender documentation will be prepared. If everything goes smoothly, construction will start at the end of 2027.

More information on Ringpark Groene Vesten is available at www.degroteverbinding.be. 

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