Park Casier

Park Casier is a historic castle park in the heart of Waregem, a sizeable town in West Flanders, Belgium. Spanning roughly 8 hectares, this protected green space is known for its mature tree groups, ornamental water features with islands and bridges, and a layout that follows the classic English landscape style. It offers a quiet, romantic counterpoint to the surrounding town center.

Where does the park's history begin?

Long before it carried its current name, the site was an open field in the middle of town known as 'den Canunckenbosch', owned by the Church Chapter of Notre-Dame in Tournai. Part of the land was later transferred to the Church Chapter of Notre-Dame in Kortrijk. Confiscated by the French and sold at public auction in the early 19th century, the grounds were bought by Godefroid Boulez, who commissioned the layout of a park in English landscape style with romantic touches, along with the construction of the first buildings on the estate.

How did the estate pass through different owners?

After Boulez's death in 1829, the property passed to his daughter Victoire. In 1847, she and her husband commissioned the construction of the castle that still stands in the park today. In the following decades, the De Ruyck family, who came to own the estate, gradually purchased neighboring plots and houses, expanding the grounds until they reached their present size. This is how the park acquired the scale and layout still recognizable today.

Why is it named after Baron Casier?

The name most visitors know today comes from industrialist Gabriel Baron Casier (1883–1971), who acquired the domain in the late 1920s. Under his ownership, the estate retained its character as a private castle park until the mid-20th century, and his name has since become permanently attached to the place.

What heritage features are protected here?

Since 2003, the park has been protected as a townscape, while several individual elements within it carry monument status: the castle itself, the carriage house with its former kennels, the ornamental honor gate on Stationsstraat, the water features with their islands and bridges, an ice cellar, and a boundary wall with a chapel dedicated to Our Lady. Together, these features preserve a layered picture of 19th-century estate architecture within a public park setting.

When did the park open to the public?

For most of its existence, the domain remained private property. That changed in 1977, when the municipality of Waregem purchased the park along with the castle. Since 1982, the grounds have been officially open to the public, becoming one of the town's most valued green spaces for walking, relaxing on the many benches scattered through the park, or spending time on the terrace of the on-site bistro.

What should visitors know before going?

The park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., making it equally suitable for an early morning walk or an evening stroll. Thanks to its central location in Waregem, it is easily reachable on foot from most parts of town, and dedicated visitor parking is available nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park free? Yes, Park Casier is a public municipal space and can be visited free of charge during opening hours.

Can visitors go inside the castle? The castle is a protected heritage building, and access to its interior depends on scheduled events or exhibitions — it's worth checking local listings before a visit.

What is the park's main highlight? The water features with their islands and bridges, combined with the mature tree groups typical of the 19th-century English landscape design, are the park's most distinctive elements.

Are there places to rest or eat in the park? Yes, the park has numerous benches throughout, and a bistro with a terrace sits at its edge, offering a place to relax after a walk.