The Griendtsveenpark just outside Erica is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend. Started as a refined animal meadow in a wasteland field, the park now attracts 40,000 visitors a year and has an important function in the community.
After the entrance, visitors walk into the site with a large arch against the clock. Along the animal meadow, the bird lofts and the pond to the goats and the playground. Volunteer André Blaauwgeers looks at it with slight surprise. “I think sometimes”My God“How fun it has become.”
Blaauwgeers was one of the volunteers who put on the park 40 years ago. It was once just a piece of land from the nearby peat litter factory that was not used. “This piece of land was Braak and we as local residents were allowed to use it to give up animals. And then the idea started to turn it into an animal park.”
According to Blaauwgeers, it did not mean much. “It was pasture and there were locks in between. And we had three, four lofts and small boxes for the chickens. The paths were of wood chips. That goes well for half a year and then it was bad again, so that was not a success.”
The park is now a lot more luxurious. The wood chips have been replaced by paving and the lofts have been modernized. It attracts around 40,000 visitors a year and according to chairman Rinze Savenije it has a solid social function.
“It is more than an animal park. We have a number of volunteers who have to reintegrate. Three times a week we have a class that does the practical lessons for the animal care course here. Twice a week we have daytime activities for the elderly and also 40,000 visitors.”
This Saturday the park is organizing a children’s-do-day. André Blaauwgeers sees a lot of new, but also familiar faces. “Many visitors are already coming to me:” Oh in the past I came here too and now my child walks around here “. That’s nice yes.”