Work in Park Brakkenstein is in full swing. The municipality wants to restore the historic allure of the park, with the work planned for completion in April 2025.

Stacks of felled trees, dug-up lawns, missing fencing and big machines moving around. For the past few weeks, green management has been working hard in Park Brakkenstein.

The aim is to future-proof the park, says a spokesperson for Nijmegen municipal council. Plans for the park include elegant new fencing, ornate gates and new benches and litter bins. Its characteristic avenue structure – Park Brakkenstein is known for its long, wide, tree-lined paths – will also be restored.

The old fencing has already been removed and some trees cut down. These will later be replaced by new trees which will be planted alongside the paths to emphasise the avenue structure.

Fewer trees cut down

For the metamorphosis, 53, mostly diseased and old, trees will be cut down. This is considerably fewer than in the original plans in which 203 trees were selected for felling. However, that announcement caused local uproar. That plan was subsequently put on hold and ultimately the number was reduced by some 75 percent reduced.

The tree felling is “necessary for the revitalisation of the park”, explains the municipal spokesperson. “For every tree cut down, a new one is planted. It is important to have a mix of old and young trees in a park to avoid having to replace all the avenues in a short time.”

The park’s metamorphosis should be completed by April 2025. The last trees will then be cut down in late 2025 and 2026. During the works, Park Brakkenstein will remain largely accessible to the public.