Amsterdamse Bos

Coordinates: 52°18′39″N 4°49′57″E / 52.3108°N 4.8325°E / 52.3108; 4.8325
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Amsterdamse Bos
Public park
LocationAalsmeer, Netherlands
Amstelveen, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Coordinates52°18′39″N 4°49′57″E / 52.3108°N 4.8325°E / 52.3108; 4.8325
Area10 km2 (2,471 acres)
Operated byCity of Amsterdam
Visitors4.5 million
OpenAll year

The Amsterdamse Bos (

landscape park in the municipalities of Amstelveen and Amsterdam. Although most of the park is located in Amstelveen, the owner of the park is the City of Amsterdam. The park was mainly built in the early 1930s, mostly by the unemployment relief. Because of World War II interrupting the building process, the last tree was not planted until the 1970s.[1] Annually, almost 4.5 million people visit the park, which has a size of 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and is approximately three times the size of Central Park
in New York City. It houses a number of animal parks, sporting clubs, rowing courses, gardens and remembrance monuments.

Throughout the decades, the location has seen different gatherings, political manifestations and (i.a., free) concerts. These often took place on the so-called Vietnam Meadow. Despite extensive protests, this part was turned into a tennis venue in 1994.

The park is bisected (but cannot be reached) by the A9 motorway.

Amenities

Bosbaan

An important part of the park is the rowing course called de Bosbaan ("Forest course"), which was opened in 1937. The course was an alternative for rowing on the Amstel river, or on the canal surrounding the polder of the Haarlemmermeer, which were the two traditional locations for rowing competition. It is the world's oldest artificial rowing course. In 1977 it hosted the World Rowing championships. In order to meet international competition regulation, the Bosbaan was widened to 118 meters (8 lanes for competition and an additional preparation lane). In 2014 the Bosbaan hosted the World Rowing Championship for a second time.

Recreational areas

There are several open areas and meadows within the forest. Some of which are located along an artificial beach along

naturist recreation.[2]

Swimming

There are several ponds and streams that can be used for swimming. There is a sand beach along a part of Grote Vijver pond. Weather conditions permitting, the water in the Groot Kinderbad children's paddling pool is activated from May until September.

Farms

Geitenboerderij Riddammerhoeve is a goat farm. Next to offering simple food dishes and making goat milk-based dairy products on site, it offers a petting zoo with goats, a playground and a maze.

Boerderij Meerzicht features a pancake restaurant and deer watching.

Open air theatre

In the open air Amsterdamse Bos Theater paid concerts and plays are held during the Summer period.[3]

Scottish Highlanders

To combat the

mowing.[4]

Rental facilities

Canoes, kayaks and bicycles can be rented at several locations.[5]

Camping

At the Day Camping people can put up a tent for a day. For longer stays there is Camping Amsterdamse Bos, a campsite that rents out sites for tents, caravans, campervans and has campsite facilities. It is not permitted to stay the night and sleep anywhere else in the forest.[6]

Image gallery

  • Blossom Park in Amstelveen
    Blossom Park in Amstelveen
  • Bosbaan rowing course
    Bosbaan rowing course
  • The forest in November
    The forest in November
  • The Hill in 1966
    The Hill in 1966
  • Boat race in 1961
    Boat race in 1961

References

  1. ^ "History of the Amsterdam Forest". Amsterdamse Bos. Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  2. ^ "Zonneweide". Amsterdamse Bos (in Dutch). Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  3. ^ "Het Bostheater (openluchttheater)". Amsterdamse Bos (in Dutch). Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  4. ^ "Schotse Begrazing". Amsterdamse Bos (in Dutch). Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  5. ^ "Ontdek onze attracties". Amsterdamse Bos (in Dutch). Retrieved 2018-01-14.
  6. ^ "Kamperen in het Amsterdamse Bos". Amsterdamse Bos (in Dutch). Retrieved 2018-01-14.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Amsterdamse Bos.

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amsterdamse_Bos&oldid=1167412318"