The Assignment
Because of the international character of this area and its surroundings, the client set up an international competition for the design. The client requested for a vision regarding a 430ha area and the ultimate design concerned an area of 205ha. Niek Roozen Landscape Architects won the second price.
The assignment of the competition was to make a design with the theme “Sport and Nature”. The client considered ecology as an important element. Furthermore, the future park should become the site for several sports, including a marathon route and a terrain for events to honours athletes.
Design
Our analysis revealed that the connections within the park and from the park with the city were negligible and in a bad condition. Therefore, we chose for a clear and organically shaped main route to which the activity grounds and other functional areas will connect. Contrasting, this main route will be connected to the city by a straight and direct path. This way, the shape resembles the form of the urban development.
For the theme we chose “Energy on Nature”. Being surrounded by nature gives visitors new energy and sporting in nature gives an extra boost. We linked three themes within the frame of nature to the sports of the park: sun, wind and water.
By locating wetland in strategic areas, a natural swimming pool is created and within the southern natural part the clean wetland will generate higher biodiversity. In this area we designed an ‘underwater-path’, bird watching spots and other educational points ensuring the visitors to connect to nature in an exceptional way.
By adding hills and forest noise pollution of the nearby highways will be reduced. This way the visitors can enjoy their sports and recreation in an unique city park.