A tunnel with an empty roof on top, practically in the middle of a residential area, how do you set that up as a municipality? The answer was quickly found: a park. And not just any park, but one that connects city and country.
The Willem Alexander Park in Utrecht Leidsche Rijn is a park on top of the tunnel of the A2 national highway. The tunnel was built by the Department of Public Works and the park above is developed and managed by the City of Utrecht. The park was created in response to the demand for landscaping 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 of Leidse Rijn with 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. In addition to this landscape connection, the park takes on the “migratory bird route” theme of the A2 by focusing on berry, insect and nectar-rich plantings. This provides food supply for migratory birds in both spring and fall.
The appropriation of the park by future residents is central. Five plots with different themes help drive participation in the use of the park. These are the following five plots: magnolia forest, cultural field, sports field, natural meadow and community fruit garden.
Design
A higher path was chosen in the design of Willem Alexander Park. This trail provides beautiful views of the surrounding area. The elevated path and plantings that play with the wind make visitors feel connected to nature. In addition, the entire length of the park can be overlooked from the center. The park offers something for everyone; the five different plots divide the park into five spheres. Plantings that are purple-dominant throughout the year were chosen. The purple color gives identity to the green. 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 noteworthy is the absence of lighting in the park, this because there is already sufficient street lighting all around and it is therefore unnecessary. Finally, ecopassages have been placed under the intersecting roads so that small mammals can safely move through the park.
