Construction Arboretum park starts 19 May
At the heart of Utrecht Science Park (USP), the new Arboretum Park is taking shape. This park will connect the Botanic Gardens with the campus and improve the sight on Fort Hoofddijk. The unique tree collection of the Botanic Gardens will become part of the public park.
Most of the work to realise the park will take place between 19 May and 1 August 2025.
Accessibility Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens will remain accessible through the main entrance at the Budapestlaan. When traveling by public transport, by bicycle and for disabled visitors using the main entrance is recommended.
The extra entrance at the Harvardlaan (see picture below) gives entrance to the Botanic Gardens to anyone with an online ticket, campus card, Friends pass, Museum card and an activated card of USP-partners. Our advice, when using this entrance, is to navigate to parking lot P10 Uppsalalaan.
Space for trees and education
The Arboretum — the unique tree collection of the Botanic Gardens — will become part of the publicly accessible park. The design takes existing trees into account as much as possible and offers space for meeting, relaxation, and education.
“By shifting the boundary, part of our special tree collection will soon be accessible to everyone, at all times,” says Gerard van Buiten, curator of the Botanic Gardens. “We’re also adding outdoor learning spaces, allowing the Arboretum to become part of open-air education programs.”
UNESCO World Heritage
A new watercourse will soon form the natural transition between the Botanic Gardens and the park. As a result, parts of the fencing can be removed, improving the sight to Fort Hoofddijk — part of the UNESCO World Heritage site known as the New Dutch Waterline.
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