Utrecht Science Park will get a new park, making part of the Botanical Gardens freely accessible

A new park will be built in the middle of the Utrecht Science Park (USP). This will make part of the Botanical Gardens freely accessible to the public. The construction of the so-called Arboretum Park is expected to be completed in 2029.

The Arboretum Park will soon form a green connection between the campus buildings at the USP and the Botanical Gardens. The name comes from the Latin word ‘arbor’, which means tree. Part of the current and future tree collection of the Botanical Gardens can soon be admired in this park.

To realize this plan, Fort Hoofddijk, part of UNESCO World Heritage, will soon be better visible and the water will be extended. This watercourse therefore forms a natural barrier, making part of the Botanical Gardens fence no longer necessary. The Arboretum, the special tree collection of the Botanical Gardens, will become part of a publicly accessible park.

“With more than 175,000 visitors per year, the gardens are already a perfect place to relax for many students, employees and visitors,” says Fenna Hanraets, operational director of the Botanical Gardens. “The number of visitors is still increasing and this development will make the gardens even more visible and experienceable from all corners of the campus.”

Three phases

The park will be constructed in three phases. The first phase, which is already underway, will see the old Evolution Garden cleared and lawns and walking paths laid so that the area can be used as quickly as possible.

The second phase will start in September and last until April 2026. The focus in this phase is on restoring the Hoofddijk, allowing the fences to be removed from the gardens and further developing the tree park.

The final phase will start in 2028 and will take more than a year to complete. In this phase, the current parking spaces will be removed, but other parking spaces must first be created at the Utrecht Science Park.

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The Circular Pavilion

At the same time as the construction of the tree park, the entrance to the Botanical Gardens is changing. The Circular Pavilion must replace the entrance to the gardens, a plan that was announced by Utrecht University in 2019.

“The Circular Pavilion will be the sustainable living room of the university, where the public and science meet, both organized and spontaneous,” says Utrecht University. ”A place for inspiration and collaboration across borders. There is room for lectures, workshops, discussion panels and much more. The building that will soon take a central place in the park must be completely energy positive and climate adaptive.

Utrecht University wants to contribute to the sustainable transition of society with the arrival of the Circular Pavilion and the Arboretum Park, among other things. “The campus must become a green, sustainable place for relaxation and nature experience, for all students, employees and visitors in the Utrecht Science Park.”