Alsembergse Beemd

Alsembergse Beemd is a nature and recreation park set in the valley of the Molenbeek stream, straddling Alsemberg and Beersel in Flemish Brabant, right next to Sint-Genesius-Rode. Once a stretch of parking lot and a football pitch, the site has been turned into an open public space that brings together greenery, water management and everyday recreation for the surrounding villages.

What can visitors find in the park?

The name itself gives a clue: "beemd" is Dutch for a riverside meadow, and that is exactly what forms the backbone of the park — an open, grassy floodplain along the Molenbeek, newly planted with trees and crossed by a network of walking paths. Where cars used to park and local teams used to play football, there are now play areas and recreational zones designed for different age groups, from small children to teenagers looking for something more challenging. The park was conceived less as a passing-through green strip and more as a genuine meeting place for the local community.

Why was a new water channel dug here?

One of the central elements of the redevelopment was digging a new channel connecting the Molenbeek and Leuzebeek streams. This piece of hydrological engineering served two purposes at once: improving water retention in the valley and reducing the flood risk that has affected this part of the Zenne basin for years. In effect, the park doubles as blue-green infrastructure — holding back water during heavy rainfall while also creating habitat for the plants and wildlife typical of a wetland meadow.

How did the park reach its current shape?

Redevelopment work on Alsembergse Beemd began at the end of January 2019, and the renewed park was officially opened on Sunday, 26 March 2023, together with the municipality of Beersel. The project formed part of a wider area-development scheme known as "Land van Teirlinck," aimed at better connecting the natural valley of the Molenbeek with the existing urban and residential infrastructure nearby.

Who paid for the redevelopment?

The project was jointly funded across three levels of government: the Flemish government contributed 1,160,000 euros, the municipality of Beersel added 500,000 euros, and the province of Flemish Brabant provided 235,000 euros. That cost-sharing reflects how the park was treated as an investment with significance beyond the purely local level, combining climate-related goals — water management — with the everyday recreational needs of residents in Alsemberg and neighbouring towns.

Who is this place for?

Alsembergse Beemd works well as a destination for a quiet walk through greenery, a picnic spot by the water, or a stop along a longer cycling route through the Zenne valley. Its play areas and open recreational grounds also make it a solid choice for families living around Beersel and Sint-Genesius-Rode, and its position near the regional and linguistic border means it draws visitors from both the Flemish and francophone sides of the Brussels periphery.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Alsembergse Beemd located? The park lies in the Molenbeek valley, in Alsemberg, part of the municipality of Beersel, close to the border with Sint-Genesius-Rode.

When was the park reopened in its current form? The renewed park officially opened on 26 March 2023, following works that began in late January 2019.

What is the purpose of the new channel in the park? It connects the Molenbeek and Leuzebeek streams and is meant to improve water retention and reduce flood risk in the valley.

Does the park have playgrounds? Yes, the former parking area and football pitch were converted into recreational zones and play areas for different age groups.