Wenduine, Neighborhood Park Benjamin – Spioenkop by Sweco bv
Belgium / Built in 2024 /
swecobelgium.be
From village to dune
The Princess of Seaside Resorts now offers not only its beautiful beaches but also a renovated dune area and a neighborhood park for young and old. Sweco has studied the public space, infrastructure, and climate adaptation and provided an accessible design for all ages. Wenduine has gained a beautiful public space for residents, second-home owners, visitors, and passersby.
‘Animal Park’ becomes Neighborhood Park ‘Benjamin’
The former animal park comprised several enclosed grassy areas where a few pygmy goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, and an aviary were housed. The infrastructure was in poor condition, and this public space called for a different use.
In addition to the two existing entrances, two additional entrances to the park were created. These four entrances are connected by a number of concrete paths with very organic and playful designs. Within this path structure, lawns and planting beds are provided. Some lawns feature undulations and play equipment. Other lawns are flat and serve as sunbathing or picnic spots. The planting beds consist of a combination of ornamental grasses and perennials. At the edges of the park, a mass planting of Elaeagnus ebbingei coupled with a chestnut wood fence provides structure and a sense of security.
Inviting Path Structure
The path structure is deliberately chosen as part of the play landscape. Children may bike, scooter, draw with sidewalk chalk, and more to their heart’s content.
The integration of a petanque field invites people for a game of boules. A new compact aviary refers to the former animal park. The installed lighting not only provides illumination and social safety but also ensures that this public space can be used in the evening. Together with the overall design, the large number of benches invite people to meet, socialize, and stay, thereby enhancing social cohesion.
The artwork ‘Benjamin’ is by Florin Maen.
The ‘Spioenkop’
The ‘spioenkop’ of Wenduine (protected monument, also known as ‘Le Pavillon Elisabeth’) is probably the most famous dune pavilion along the Belgian coast. The dune peak on which the original pavilion stood has historically been a strategic observation point. From this unique location, you can enjoy a wide 360° panorama over the North Sea, the dunes, and the polders.
Accessibility First
The main paths in this dune area were in poor condition and have recently been paved with clay pavers. Excess paths, as well as two unsafe crossings at the tramway, were removed. Based on vegetation mapping, plants deemed undesirable in this area (invasive exotics) were eradicated.
A secondary path winding through existing trees provides access to a new viewpoint subtly integrated into another dune peak, ensuring it does not compete with the ‘spioenkop’.
Optimization of Centrally Located Parking Area
A former bypass of the N317 to the N34 has been repurposed as a parking facility. This facility previously had unsafe entrances and exits, poor visibility, and insufficient capacity. The site is located between the Spioenkop site and the animal park, adjacent to the regional road N317 and the nearby tram stop.
In designing the new parking area, conflicts between road users were minimized, and the ‘right-in right-out’ principle is applied as a safe exit. The parking spaces are permeable, and all rainwater falling on the pavement flows gravitationally to the lower-lying planting beds where it can buffer and infiltrate. The planting consists of ornamental grasses to embed the parking area within the adjoining dune landscape. Bike racks and charging infrastructure are provided. Several artworks have been integrated into the planting beds.
This parking area serves as a facility for the existing soccer field, tourism, additional parking for the Duneroze care home, and as overflow parking for events.
Other credits: Clients:
Agentschap Maritieme Dienstverlening en Kust
Gemeentebestuur De Haan
