Park Zandvoort

Zandvoort is a seaside town on the North Sea coast of North Holland, only a half hour by train from Amsterdam, and it has been a resort since the nineteenth century. Sea bathing became fashionable in the early 1800s, a railway line reached the town in the 1880s, and visitors came in growing numbers from the cities of Holland and from Germany. Behind the beach and the boulevard, the town is laid out among the dunes, with streets of villas, old fishermen's cottages and modern apartment blocks, and green spaces among them. The name Park Zandvoort is attached to one of these places, and it is described here as a public park inland from the coast, though its exact boundaries and facilities are not well documented.

A town park in a resort of this kind has a useful function. It offers a shaded, calm space for people who want a break from the sun and sand, with mature trees, lawns, paths and benches, and often a playground for children. For families, it is a place to rest between swims, and for residents it is a place for walks, jogging and dog exercise. The park is open to the public at all times and is free. It is reachable on foot from the centre of town and from the railway station, which is close to the beach.

The park is also an entry to the wider landscape. Zandvoort lies next to the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, a protected area of dunes, woods and marshes that stretches north towards Haarlem, and to the water-supply dunes of Amsterdam. Walking and cycling paths lead from the edge of the town into the dunes, so that a stroll through the park can turn into a longer walk. Wild animals such as deer and sometimes European bison can be encountered in the reserves, and in spring and summer the dunes are full of flowers and birds.

The town has other attractions. The beach is wide and long, with pavilions and a lively promenade, and the old village street, the Haltestraat, has shops and cafes. A museum tells the history of the village and its fishing community, and a motor racing circuit in the dunes, which hosts the Dutch Grand Prix and other events, is a major draw for motor sport fans.

The park suits families, walkers and anyone who wants a quiet corner in a busy resort. A visit takes half an hour, longer if it leads on into the dunes. Bring a jacket, as sea breezes can be cool even in summer.