Zuiderplantsoen Almost Completed — A Green Park to Replace Highway
A new city park above Groningen’s sunken ring road aims to reconnect neighbourhoods and provide a calm, green space for pedestrians and cyclists.
On May 8th, Groningen’s newest park—the Zuiderplantsoen—will officially open to the public. Built on top of the sunken southern ring road between the Hereweg and the Oude Winschoterdiep, this green space will reconnect neighbourhoods and offer a peaceful place for people to walk, cycle, and relax.
In the past, this part of Groningen was dominated by heavy traffic. Now, with the southern ring road buried underground, three large concrete lids have been placed above it. On top of these lids, the Zuiderplantsoen is taking shape—transforming an area once filled with noise into a quiet, green oasis.
The park will stretch across neighborhoods including Herewegbuurt, Oosterpoortbuurt, Sterrebos, and De Linie, linking them together. The area will feature grassy lawns, trees, forest paths, and open spaces. The design is pedestrian and cyclist-friendly—cars are not allowed.
“You feel a serene peace”
“It’s already starting to feel like a real park,” says Bert Kramer from Combinatie Herepoort, the contractor in charge of the project. “You feel a kind of serene peace when you walk here.”
Although the park still looks bare in places, Kramer says planting is well underway. “The soil we’re using is from Staatsbosbeheer. It’s really rich, so we expect the plants to take root quickly. If all goes well, this will soon be a beautiful, green park.”
The good weather in recent weeks has helped construction stay on schedule—though it’s been a bit dry, so they’re keeping a close eye on the young plants.
Connecting Nature and Neighborhoods
The park is thoughtfully designed to connect nearby green areas, like Sterrebos North and South, and the garden at the DUO/Belastingdienst building. “It will be a great area where people can walk, stay, and play,” says Kramer.
Some important traffic changes were also made as part of the project. For example, the Hereweg and Oosterpoortbuurt no longer have on/off ramps to the ring road. Instead, a new road, the Máximaweg, connects Hereweg to Julianaplein. In the long run, this is expected to reduce noise and improve safety in the area.
A Tunnel for Cyclists and Walkers
A special feature of the new park is the Esperantotunnel, a bike and pedestrian tunnel under the railway line. It reconnects the Oosterpoortbuurt and Helperzoom neighborhoods, and links the two halves of the Zuiderplantsoen. The tunnel was actually constructed years ago but was recently reopened and completed. It features a rose pattern on the inside walls, giving it a unique look.
“The tunnel will also open on May 8th,” Kramer confirms. “Then the whole Zuiderplantsoen will be accessible.”
Upcoming Grand Opening
With just a few weeks left, workers are putting finishing touches on lighting, paving, and planting. The park will be open to the public on 8th May, but the big celebration will likely come later.
“Of course, it won’t be completely green yet on opening day,” says Kramer. “The grass still needs time to grow. But by September, we hope to organise a proper opening event. By then, everything should be blooming and people can truly enjoy what we’ve created here.”