Griendpark

On the Meuse Griendpark —usually referred to simply as ‘De Griend’—is situated. The large lawn offers plenty of space to sit, have a picnic or play sports. A footpath with benches runs alongside the water, and there is a large skate park on the edge of the park. Moreover, hidden amongst all that greenery lies a surprising piece of Maastricht’s history.

Green space on the Meuse
The lawn makes up the largest part of De Griend. Trees line its edge, and from the park there are views across the Meuse ( Meuse ) and the city on the opposite bank. The park is used for walking, exercising, picnicking or simply sitting on the grass.

Beneath the grass lies something that is barely visible from the park: the Q-Park De Griend car park. The current ‘ Griendpark ’ was built on top of this car park and opened in 1999.

Skating on smooth concrete
On the outskirts of De Griend lies a large skate park. It was designed in collaboration with skaters – and for good reason. Maastricht’s city centre is full of cobblestones and paving stones, which make skating difficult.

The skatepark is therefore made of smooth concrete. Differences in height, edges and slopes offer plenty of opportunities for skating and skateboarding.

An island that disappeared
Where the ‘ Griendpark ’ now stands, the ‘ Meuse ’ once flowed around Sint-Antoniuseiland. Willows grew on the island. The young, supple branches were used, amongst other things, to weave baskets. Such a place with willows was called a ‘griend ’. That is where the name ‘De Griend’ comes from.

At the end of the nineteenth century, the island disappeared. Part of it was excavated and the branch of the Meuse between the island and Wyck was filled in. The shape of the current park still reflects the island that once lay here.

Fun fact
From 1953 to 1966, there was a heliport at De Griend. Helicopters operated by Sabena flew from this site to Brussels. So, where people now sit on the grass, helicopters used to take off and land.