A tunnel with an empty roof on top, practically in the middle of a residential area, how do you design that as a municipality? The answer was quickly found: a park. And not just any park, but a park that connects.

The Willem Alexander Park in Utrecht Leidsche Rijn is a park on top of the A2 motorway tunnel. The tunnel was built by Rijkswaterstaat and the park above it is developed and managed by the municipality of Utrecht. The park was created in response to the demand for landscaping on the roof of the tunnel.

Goal

Wind is central to the design of this high-altitude park. With this, DS wants to focus on the human experience. In addition, the ground layer of the park will act as a lightning diversion from the tunnel. Finally, the park provides a scenic and ecological connection between Leidse Rijn and the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal.

The habitats of plants and animals in the landscape north and south of the city of Utrecht are connected by means of the park. Besides this landscape connection, the park takes up the ‘migratory bird route’ theme of the A2 by focusing on berries, insects and nectar-rich planting. This provides food supply for migratory birds in both spring and autumn.

The appropriation of the park by future residents is central. Five plots with different themes help to drive participation in the use of the park. These are the following five plots: magnolia forest, culture field, sports field, nature meadow and community fruit garden.

Design

A higher path was chosen in the design of Willem Alexander Park. This path provides beautiful views of the surroundings. The elevated path and the planting that plays with the wind make visitors feel connected to nature. In addition, the entire length of the park can be overlooked from the centre. The park offers something for everyone; the five different plots divide the park into five atmospheres. Plantings were chosen that are purple-dominant throughout the year. The purple colour gives identity to the greenery. The planting plan is by Fred Booy.

Details

The furniture on the five plots is linked to the ledge. In addition, it is made of uniform material so that it remains unique and manageable. Perhaps notable is the absence of lighting in the park, this because there is already sufficient street lighting all around and it is therefore redundant. Finally, ecopassages have been placed under the intersecting roads so that small mammals can safely move through the park.