Belgium

Laakland park, located in Beerse, was created in 2024.

Drivers of construction

Historically, this area was an open valley with wet grasslands. The surrounding neighbourhood, located in the center of the village, was suffering from floods and the municipality decided to create a floodable park to increase the landscape’s water buffering capacity.

Design

Through a co-creation process which consisted on an online survey and two workshops with residents, they arrived to an artificial marshland design with a small meandering stream and water pond. The design allows the water storage during peak flows while providing space for nature and recreation. The park could fulfil its purpose during the spring of 2024.

Management

The park is extensively managed, allowing vegetation to grow freely. Biodiversity is thus prioritized, although grey elements (regulating dikes) are also present. The park feeds from groundwater, so the management has to adapt to the hydrological dynamics across the seasons.