Koning Lodewijklaan Green Space

There is a need for more and better waste facilities to tackle litter and dog fouling.

The boundaries and purpose of the current dog walking area (HUP) are not clear to everyone: where should you pick up after your dog, where shouldn’t you, and where are dogs allowed to run free? Opinions are divided on the location of the HUP, but everyone wants less nuisance and a cleaner environment. Furthermore, in practice, children playing and dogs running loose do not make for an ideal combination. To enhance safety and enjoyment for everyone, it has been decided to separate these two activities as much as possible and to concentrate them in the designated areas. This creates a clearer overview and reduces the risk of undesirable situations.

What we’re going to do

• The HUP fencing will be modified so that it has a clear starting and ending point, thereby creating a clear separation of functions. The HUP in the southern part of the green belt (Sprengenweg–Soerenseweg) will remain in place, but will be slightly modified in places.
• The section between Sprengenweg and Sterrenlaan is to be converted into a dog play area. This area will be enclosed at the entrance and exit by a fence with a gate and will feature play elements such as small hills and tree trunks, so that dogs can run and play there safely.
• The current dog-walking area between Celebeslaan and Bosweg is to be closed, as this location is relatively isolated and situated between play areas. This makes the area less suitable and less safe for both children playing and dogs. Everyone is, of course, still welcome to walk their dog along the entire length of the green space. However, outside the designated dog walking areas (HUPs), dogs must be kept on a lead and dog fouling must always be cleared up. On the page about dogs you can find out where the nearest HUPs are.
• We are launching a communication campaign about the use of the HUP, so that everyone knows where dogs are allowed to run free and where it is compulsory to pick up after them.
• We are looking into the possibility of increased monitoring by the Enforcement Department during periods when there is a high level of nuisance.
• We are looking into where additional litter bins could be placed in the northern part of the green space, where the HUP has expired.

Many residents said that the green space should offer more opportunities for playing, exercising and socialising. Children aged 4–10 and older people, in particular, feel there is a lack of facilities that encourage them to be active. There is also a need for play areas to be more widely distributed and for greater variety in the activities on offer.

In addition, residents consider safety to be important: play areas must be clearly laid out, well lit and designed in such a way that children cannot simply run out onto the road. At the same time, some residents are concerned about potential disturbances caused by play areas. That is why we are always looking to strike a good balance between play areas and living comfort.

What we’re going to do

• Work with Stimenz to investigate whether an exercise garden for older people and a jeu de boules court can be built on or around the Berkenhove site.
• We are looking into whether a special dementia-friendly route can be created around the Loohof.
• We aim to install benches at all the various locations along the green space. It is important that local residents agree to this (public support).
• A residents‘ initiative on Boszichtlaan. Residents would like to create a new playground here. The Initiative Broker is supporting them in developing and implementing this plan. The playground and its equipment will be designed around a ’railway’ theme.
• Renovation of the playground near Celebeslaan. In doing so, we will take residents’ concerns and wishes into account, such as:
• nuisance caused by loitering youths
• lighting that is too bright
• putting the seesaw back in place
• additional bin
• fence

• Relocation of the four football goals. The goals will be linked to the refurbished play area on Celebeslaan and to the table tennis table between Boszichtlaan and Middellaan (and there are two football pitches with goals in the green space), creating a single, well-organised and safe play area.
• Renovation of the playground on Sumatralaan. This playground is situated just outside the green space, but plays an important role for local children and ties in with the functions of Koning Lodewijklaan.

Local residents have indicated that they would like to see more walking routes. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have taken up walking, which has led to all sorts of well-trodden paths forming in the green spaces. Residents sometimes welcome this, whilst at other times they do not.

A number of residents would like to see more colourful planting, natural planting or flower beds along Koning Lodewijklaan. Some residents have questions about the maintenance of the trees on Koning Lodewijklaan. They would like to see certain trees pruned or replaced with smaller ones.

What are we going to do?

• We are going to lay a semi-paved surface on the walking route and elephant trails, so that the paths become more accessible and it is clear where you are and are not allowed to walk
• In places where elephant trails and cyclists are not welcome (some east-west routes), we will block the route with a tree trunk.
• During the meeting, we will explain the council’s tree policy and tree maintenance procedures (including when inspections and pruning take place, etc.)
• We’re going to clear some of the grass verges ecological management and less mowing. This will create a different look. It will also provide more space for colourful flowers and herbs. This does not apply to dog walking areas, as longer grass makes cleaning more difficult.
• During the information evening, we will explain more about our tree policy. Would you like to read more about this in the meantime? If so, please visit Trees in Apeldoorn.

A number of residents believe it is important to highlight the cultural history of the former railway line. They would like to see this highlighted, for example, by means of an information board or a work of art.

What are we going to do:

• To investigate whether the green space could be granted park status.
• We are looking into whether information boards could be erected at the start and end of Koning Lodewijklaan, explaining the history of the green space as a former railway line.
• We are looking into whether there might be another way of commemorating the past, for example by installing a work of art, a playground structure or some other feature.

During the residents’ meeting about the green space, many residents also shared their concerns about the traffic situation on Koning Lodewijklaan. Although traffic is not part of this project, we understand that this is a matter of concern in the neighbourhood.

Local residents have indicated that they would like to see a quieter, safer and better-organised traffic situation. Among other things, they mention the need for clear speed bumps, better-organised parking and fewer heavy goods vehicles or logistics traffic on the street.

We take these concerns seriously, but they do not form part of the current project for the green belt. The works focus exclusively on the green area along Koning Lodewijklaan.

• All feedback on traffic matters has been passed on to the Mobility Department of Apeldoorn City Council. They are reviewing the comments and taking them into account in their wider traffic planning considerations.
• No traffic engineering changes are currently being made. Changes to the road are not on the agenda at present.
• In the event of any future road renovation (for example, as part of routine maintenance), residents’ wishes and concerns will be reviewed and taken into account.