Muses Park

Muses Park (French: Parc des Muses, Dutch: Muzenpark) is a small green space in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, one of the nineteen municipalities that make up the Brussels-Capital Region. Covering roughly 1.7 hectares, it sits almost exactly halfway between two other neighbourhood parks, Marie-José Park and Karreveld Park. The park is bordered by Avenue Brigade Piron, home to its main entrance, Rue Osseghem to the south, and Rue Melpomène to the east.

Where does the park's name come from?

The name refers to the nine Muses of Greek mythology, patrons of the arts and sciences. Several streets bordering the park carry the names of individual Muses, including Rue Melpomène (muse of tragedy), Rue Calliope (muse of epic poetry) and Rue Euterpe (muse of music). This cluster of street names is what gave the surrounding neighbourhood its informal nickname, the "Muses quarter", a name the park itself inherited.

Interestingly, the site was once known by a completely different name — the Rosarium, or Rose Garden — hinting that roses were once cultivated here as part of the grounds of a former estate.

What is the history behind this park?

The land now occupied by the park was originally a private estate, complete with a bourgeois residence, garden and stables. In 1922, the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean purchased the property with plans to turn it into a hospice for the elderly. The project never materialised due to a lack of funds, and the site was developed instead as an open-air green theatre and a public garden open to residents.

What can visitors see and do here?

Today, Muses Park functions as a leisure and recreation space designed to welcome all generations. It includes an Agoraspace sports area with six pétanque courts, an open field used for football, mini-football and street soccer, as well as basketball facilities.

The park is also notable for its tree collection, which mixes native and exotic species: Lawson cypress, common yew, tulip tree, silver linden, sycamore maple, hornbeam and horse chestnut all grow within its grounds. A handful of especially large, remarkable trees stand out — a Virginia tulip tree with a trunk circumference of over 3.4 metres, two bald cypresses exceeding 3 metres in circumference, and above all a Chinese ginkgo. This roughly 150-year-old male specimen, over 3.5 metres in diameter, is considered the thirteenth-largest ginkgo tree in Belgium.

Is the park being renovated?

Yes. Muses Park has been left neglected for a long period, leading to numerous complaints from local residents about the state of its facilities. The municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is planning a thorough renovation, which is expected to include restoring the football pitch and installing new basketball hoops.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Muses Park located? It lies in the municipality of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean in Brussels, between Marie-José Park and Karreveld Park, along Avenue Brigade Piron.

Where does the park's name come from? From the neighbouring streets named after the Muses of Greek mythology, such as Rue Melpomène, Rue Calliope and Rue Euterpe.

What is the park's most notable natural feature? A roughly 150-year-old Chinese ginkgo tree with a trunk over 3.5 metres in diameter, one of the largest of its kind in Belgium.

Does the park have sports facilities? Yes, an Agoraspace area with pétanque courts, football, mini-football, street soccer and basketball facilities.