Groot Park, Public park in central Aalst, Belgium
Groot Park is a 15-hectare park south of Aalst's centre, bordered by Parklaan, Désiré De Wolfstraat and Erembodegemstraat. It has two fishing ponds, the Ballonvijver and Spiegelvijver, linked by walking paths. The park is an arboretum with about 200 tree species, and its southern edge meets the Osbroek nature reserve.
The park was created between 1911 and 1916 under the direction of alderman Désiré De Wolf, who worked with landscape architect Louis Breydel. This founding period reflects the growth of Aalst as a modern city in the early 1900s.
The Melkhuisje has stood in the park since 1916, when it opened selling milk and now operates as a restaurant; in 2023 a new owner was being sought. The free Parkconcerten are held here yearly, and in 2023 Pommelien Thijs headlined before 12,000 visitors. The brand Du Parc, originally makers of women's stockings, took its name from the park.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset and offers paths suitable for various walking speeds. The Osbroek nature reserve sits directly on the southern edge and can be accessed from the main grounds.
The grounds function as an arboretum, home to around 200 different tree species scattered throughout the park. This variety turns a simple walk into a discovery experience for nature watchers and those curious about trees.
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