Coupépolder, Polder in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands
Coupépolder is a reclaimed land tract positioned between the Kromme Aar and Aarkanaal waterways, creating a semicircular shape. A golf course now occupies its upper section, with monitoring systems continuously tracking subsurface environmental conditions.
The area emerged in the early 1800s when the Aarkanaal extension separated a portion of adjacent polders. This waterway connection determined the boundaries and shape of this reclaimed tract.
The polder reflects Dutch water management traditions through its dike and drainage systems that regulate water levels. These structures shape how locals interact with and depend on the engineered landscape.
The site is now dominated by a golf course with limited public access, though the landscape remains a notable feature of the region. Ongoing environmental monitoring ensures stable ground conditions for current and future activities.
Thousands of containers holding industrial chemicals lie buried beneath the golf course, remnants of decades of illegal dumping between 1975 and 2000. This hidden past starkly contrasts with the site's current tidy appearance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
