Beislovenpark

Beislovenpark is a compact yet richly designed nature park in Strijpen, a district of the town of Zottegem in East Flanders, Belgium. It stretches along the banks of the Bettelhovebeek stream and covers roughly two hectares.

When was the park created and where does it stand today?

Beislovenpark is a relatively young addition to the local green space network — construction began in 2017, and the park officially opened to the public in 2018. That makes it one of the more recently designed parks in the region, built with contemporary priorities in mind: nature education, family-friendly recreation, and support for local biodiversity.

What makes this park stand out?

The defining feature of Beislovenpark is its varied terrain. Designers made deliberate use of natural elevation differences across three distinct soil types, turning a walk through a fairly small area into a surprisingly varied experience. Rather than neat, formal pathways, the park embraces a natural character — routes wind between tree trunks, wooden walkways, and nature-inspired play elements.

Highlights for visitors include:

• natural play features built around tree trunks and wooden structures,
• a traditional orchard planted with old fruit tree varieties,
• a bee hotel supporting local pollinators,
• a food forest combining edible plants with a naturalistic woodland layout,
• a vegetable garden open to residents,
• a pond that serves as a habitat for local aquatic wildlife,
• an amphitheater used for gatherings and outdoor events.

How does it connect to the neighboring Egmontpark?

One of the most interesting aspects of Beislovenpark is its direct link to the adjacent Egmontpark and Egmont Castle, both located on the opposite bank of the Bettelhovebeek. The two parks are joined by wooden footbridges and stepping stones laid across the streambed, allowing visitors to move freely between the two green spaces and experience them as a single, continuous walking route.

Who is this park for?

Beislovenpark is particularly appealing to families with children, thanks to its natural play elements, close contact with water, and varied terrain that invites active exploration while introducing kids to local nature. Adult visitors will find it a quiet spot for a walk, birdwatching by the pond, or simply resting in the shade of the orchard trees.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? The park is a publicly accessible green space, in line with typical municipal parks in Belgium.

Can a visit be combined with a trip to Egmont Castle? Yes — wooden footbridges and stepping-stone crossings over the Bettelhovebeek connect Beislovenpark directly to the neighboring Egmontpark and the grounds around Egmont Castle.

What sets this park apart from a typical city park? The combination of naturally varied terrain across three different soil types with educational features such as a food forest and a bee hotel makes Beislovenpark distinct from more conventionally landscaped municipal parks.

Where exactly is the park located? The park is located in Strijpen, a district of Zottegem, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium.