Youth Park

Youth Park (French: Parc de la Jeunesse, Dutch: Jeugdpark) is a four-hectare municipal park in the Jette district, on the northwestern edge of Brussels. It opened in 1952 on land that during the Second World War had served as a "potager populaire" — a communal vegetable garden used by local residents to grow food. The park's name is no coincidence: it was dedicated to the memory of young people who lost their lives during the two world wars, giving the site a commemorative dimension beyond its everyday role as a neighbourhood green space.

What can you do here?

The park was designed primarily as a recreational and sports space for children and teenagers, though residents of all ages make use of it. It has three separate playgrounds, each geared toward a different age group: one for the youngest visitors (ages 2–6), one for children aged 5–12, and a dedicated area for older kids above 10. For sports lovers, the park offers a football pitch, tennis courts, a pétanque pitch and a mini-golf course. Skateboarders and rollerbladers have their own dedicated skatepark and a rink for rollerskating.

What facilities are available on site?

The park was laid out with visitor comfort in mind. On site you'll find public toilets, picnic tables, a drinking water fountain and bicycle parking. Dog owners can make use of a designated off-leash area set aside specifically for pets. Much of the park's infrastructure, including some of the playgrounds, has been adapted for people with disabilities, making it one of the more accessible parks in this part of Brussels.

Is there greenery and wildlife in the park?

While Youth Park is best known for sport and play, it also holds some ecological value. At least 70 plant species grow here, including birch, hornbeam, ash and oregano. The park is also home to more than 50 bird species — among them the great grey shrike, blackbird and starling — as well as mammals such as bats, which can sometimes be spotted at dusk.

How do you get to Youth Park?

The park has several entrances, from avenue du Comité, rue de Smet de Naeyer and avenue du Comté de Jette, making it easy to reach from different parts of the neighbourhood. By public transport, the park is best reached by bus lines 14, 53 or 88, or by tram lines 19, 51 or 93, all of which stop nearby.

Frequently asked questions

Is Youth Park open around the clock? Yes, the site is open to the public at all times, except in cases of strong wind, when the park may be closed for safety reasons.

Is the park suitable for children of different ages? Yes — three separate playgrounds are designed for different age groups, from toddlers to older kids, so families with children of varying ages will find something suitable.

Can you bring a dog to the park? Yes, there is a designated area within the park set aside for dogs.

Is the park accessible for people with disabilities? Yes, the park's infrastructure has been designed with accessibility for people with disabilities in mind.

How big is Youth Park? The park covers an area of around four hectares.