A tip from Rik: parks in Eindhoven

Eindhoven is one of the greenest cities in the Netherlands. Say what? Yep, and Rik knows the best spots. In this week’s tip, he shares some of the finest and most tranquil places to relax in the city. 

A couple of fun facts from your favorite city guide, before we move on to this week’s tip. Eindhoven got its current shape (more or less) in 1920 when the city merged with five surrounding villages. Together with Strijp, Gestel, Stratum, Tongelre, and Woensel, a city of about 46,000 inhabitants originated. When you look closer at the map of Eindhoven, you will see that the dividing lines of those areas are some of the greenest parts of the city. The Genneper Parken, Wandelpark Eckart, the Stadswandelpark, and the Philips de Jongh Wandelpark, for example. Speaking of green, don’t forget the Henri Dunant Park, in the middle of Woensel. Here you will find 22 hectares full of trees, water, and spacious green playgrounds.

For those who can't choose, this is Rik’s top three parks in Eindhoven:

1. Genneper Parken 

It takes less than ten minutes by bike from the city center to get to the green surroundings of the Genneper Parken. Here you can walk along with farms and enjoy peace and quiet along the rivers Dommel and Tongelreep. Also, check out PreHistorisch Dorp. In this great open-air museum on the edge of the park you go back in time (from 13,000 years ago to the Eighty Years’ War). Right at the entrance is Den Bonten Os. The Inn was rebuilt on the basis of the remnants of a building that was on the ‘Markt’ in Eindhoven hundreds of years ago. Hit the terrace and enjoy ‘ancient sandwiches’, local sausages, and abbey beers.  

2. Stadswandelpark 

An all-time favorite: the Stadswandelpark. This wonderful place is located on the edge of the city center. Beautiful trees and green lawns, what more do you need to chill out and relax? There’s a special artwork of a shouting woman standing at the edge of the pond. It is a tribute to the first radio connection that was established between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies in 1927. Thanks to Philips, Queen Wilhelmina was able to address her people in the East Indies from the NatLab in Eindhoven. 

3. Philips de Jongh Wandelpark 

Anyone who heads north from Piet Hein Eek at Strijp R will be in the middle of the woods within two minutes. Here you can stroll, enjoy nature, and watch the players of PSV train at the Herdgang sports complex. The park is named after Anna Philips-de Jongh, the wife of Anton Philips. The couple donated the park to the city in 1920. Nearby you’ll find the De Wielewaal estate where the Philips family lived. A wonderful place to relax is the Philips Fruittuin. Dive into the orchards full of apple, pear, and plum trees, or relax on the terrace of the pancake house. Here you can also learn how to bring your pear tree back into shape. For green-fingered fanatics, the owner occasionally organizes workshops on pruning.