East Flanders is a recreation park heaven, counting seven. But Puyenbroeck is king, a veritable paradise for recreation seekers young and old.
Located in the small municipality of Wachtebeke, about 25 kilometres northeast of Ghent, this expansive, 510-hectare provincial park has endless entertainment opportunities, including a serious sports complex, a beautiful boating lake, pretty paths, cute animals, inventive playgrounds and magnificently manicured gardens.
Both serious and recreational sports enthusiasts will find a plethora of prospects. The 1,800 square-metre sports complex is perfect for a wide range of indoor activities, from badminton and dancing to weight training and swimming. There is an outdoor pool, too – though only open in July and August – and countless other open-air athletic options, including tennis, rugby and a nine-hole golf course that won’t break the bank.
Central to the domain is the lake, which spans out into a clover leaf shape. It’s stocked with fish, and fishing is allowed; on weekends and holidays, you can rent boats to paddle or row around to your heart’s content.
Cyclists and walkers will enjoy the park’s water- and tree-lined paths. Guided nature tours in Dutch take place every second Sunday; each has a different and often seasonally focused topic. The website of Tourism Waasland has information about extended cycling and walking routes that incorporate parts of the domain, including the two sign-posted walking loops Siesmeers and Zuidlederoute.
The “Living History Park” features an array of animals, but standouts for me were the showy peacocks and little baby goats. The domain is partnered with Steunpunt Levend Erfgoed, an organisation that works to preserve old and often endangered breeds of Belgian farm animals. You’ll see a wide range of native varieties, like Kempen sheep and Belgian draft horses.
Though kids love this zoo, it’s often tough to pull them off the imaginatively designed play areas. The giant red climbing structure and water playground are particularly entertaining, but there’s also mini golf and a traffic park during the summer, where older kids learn about traffic regulations in a hands-on way, while driving go-carts on a specially designed track.
For visitors with a flower fetish, there’s a 23-hectare Bloemenpark (flower park). The gardens are landscaped in English and French style with precisely trimmed hedges and shrubs. In April, daffodils abound. Here you’ll also find spewing fountains and a straw maze.
Once the adventure is over, be sure to give yourself a chance to relax and dine al fresco by the lake. The catering complex includes a café and restaurant. You can choose simple snacks like pannenkoeken or heartier fare like steak and frietjes. Groups can also rent sections of the large dining hall for special events.
If you feel you really don’t want to go home, camping and caravanning is available in the domain from until 30 September.
Get a lay of the land at Puyenbroeck by taking the charming little tourist “train”. The tour takes about 30 minutes and gives you a helpful overview of all that the park has to offer. An all-inclusive ticket lets you ride the train all day and gives you access to mini golf, as well as a bike and a boat.
Castle Puyenbrug, within the domain, hosts the Mola-Het Provinciaal Molencentrum (provincial mill museum). Here, you can find a permanent exhibit and a wealth of information about harnessing the power of wind and water for energy, both in the past and present.
Cycling is an ideal way to reach Puyenbroeck. You can order the appropriate maps from the province’s website: www.tov.be
Lokeren’s railway station is the closest one to the domain. Take the Belbus 70 the rest of the way. (Call ahead to reserve at 09.210.94.94).
You can take bus 76 directly from Gent-Sint-Pieters or Gent-Dampoort train stations. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Puyenbroeck.
From 3 July to 12 September, there’s scenic cruise from the centre of Lokeren to the domain. Details are available on the domain’s website, and you can get tickets at Lokeren’s tourist office.
Puyenbroeck
Puyenbrug 1A
Wachtebeke
www.oost-vlaanderen.be
East Flanders is home to more provincial recreation parks than any other province
Het Leen in Eeklo features 260 hectares of forest, including an internationally known arboretum with an extensive collection of trees and shrubs. The park also has 36 kilometres of walking paths, half of which are paved and handicap accessible. Gentsesteenweg 80, Eeklo
De Gavers in Geraardsbergen (pictured) is a gem for boaters. Visitors can rent boats to paddle, pedal, sail, row or surf around a 20-hectare lake. Swimmers and sunbathers will enjoy the large beach area, open in July and August. Onkerzelestraat 280, Geraardsbergen www.degavers.be
De Boerekreek in Sint-Jan-in-Eremo is a unique, rural, natural wetland that is the perfect getaway for walkers and cyclists who enjoy quiet, as well as anglers. The on-site sports centre offers classes and sports camps for kids, with activities like riding, sailing and surfing. 132 Sint-Jansstraat, Sint-Jan-in- Eremo www.boerekreek.be
Den Blakken in Wetteren hosts lovely ornamental gardens organised by theme as well as a blind garden route for the visually impaired. Their website features recommended cycling and walking routes.Wegvoeringstraat 308, Wetteren www.denblakken.be
Het Gentbos in Merelbeke is a 22-hectare forested area offering guided tours and educational opportunities for kids. Poelstraat, Merelbeke
De Roomakker in Tielrode is a small domain made up of three former clay pits and the area surrounding them. This natural area is popular for hiking. Hofstraat, Tielrode
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