(Photo: Chris de Waard).
The municipality of Leiden will start work on the redesign of the Van der Werfpark in early September. For example, the footpaths will be replaced. A design for the refurbishment was already made in 2017 together with the neighborhood. The plans were delayed, however, because they turned out to be too expensive. The municipality also wanted the new parking garage under the Garenmarkt to be ready first.
“The paths in the park are so bad that they will be replaced in September prior to the other work,” the project manager tells local residents. Incidentally, the first plans date back to 2014. Even then a new system of footpaths would be built whereby the flooding in the park would also be adjusted.
Paths not wider
Recently, the municipality has adjusted the plan, so that it now fits within the budget. Soil research was also carried out last year to determine where cables and pipes are located in the ground. In addition, it was investigated what effect the activities have on the trees in the park. In order to prevent damage to trees, it was decided to reverse the wider contours of the paths in the design. The paths will therefore not be wider, but according to the municipality they will have a more attractive appearance. For example, the dark asphalt is replaced by a lighter pavement with a more park-like appearance.
In the park, trees and green spaces are being renovated and the image of Mayor Van der Werf is more visible from the water side. The entrances to the park are also being tackled and must be given a more inviting character.
The part of the work that starts after the school holidays must be completed for Leidens Ontzet. The refurbishment of the Van der Werfpark will then continue at the beginning of next year.
