European Landscape Architecture: Best Practice in Detailing

The Netherlands

The western side of the park is marked by a line

of trees (Alnus cordata) that continues into the

residential area. While the eastern side is marked by

ashes (Fraxinus excelsior ‘Eureka’), the other trees

in the park are birches (Betula nigra). The various

elements have been planted with specific trees,

such as Juglans nigra by the urban farm, Salix sepul-

cralis ‘Tristis’ by the pond and Populus nigra ‘Italica’

around the playing field.

Evaluation

The spatial framework of the park is a very strong

one. The designer’s intention was that the triangular

hill would organise the other geometrical elements

of the park. In a low-density residential area such as

this, a park has to create its own structure. The sur-

roundings lack vertical interest. To give the park a big,

strong, structuring element was a good intervention.

It makes the park recognisable, and the hill invites visi-

tors to climb to the top, from where there are pano-

ramic views to be enjoyed. The accessible sculpture

accentuates the hill as the highpoint and highlight of

the park. It provides a new perspective on the sur-

rounding landscape and, in this respect, the concept

of the park and of the artwork reinforce one another.

The choice of materials provides a clear contrast

between the hill, the surrounding area and the

site-specific elements. The hill, planted with Hedera

helix, is a green, three-dimensional object, which is

6.22a
Plan showing structure of tree planting
6.22b
Photo: the construction of the road surface