About a 20 minute drive away from Haarlem, the Groene Weelde park is probably one of my favourites. It is a large park, completely off leash, with a maze of pathways or off-beat paths, waterways and beaches, open spaces and curiosities to interest the two-legged walkers.
You can make this walk as long or short as you like. I have seen some people simply walk around the lake at the beginning, which takes about 20 minutes if you walk slowly. I think the longest I have managed to walk through the park is for 2 hours.
There is one small pathway (probably about 500m long) that runs alongside the golf course and near a waterway where birds settle and breed, and you are requested to put your dog on leash for this part, but that is the only spot that asks for a leash.
There are a couple of cycle paths that go through the park, one wide one where you can also expect scooters and the occasional car. Mostly the drivers are sensible but you will get the occasional idiot.
There are two parking areas, one is next to the Pannenkoeken Paviljoen, and the other is at the complete opposite end of the park near the golf course. Or you can take the bus 340 from Haarlem Station which stops pretty much on the corner by the Pannenkoeken Paviljoen. There is a big, beige, stone waterdrop artwork on the side of the road just in front of the park, you can’t miss it!
Look out for crayfish in the waterways and sometimes on the nearby banks…
Pros:
- Huge off leash area
- Range of area types
- Enough space to avoid pack walkers
Cons:
- Some large pack with varying degrees of control over their pack
- Horse paths throughout the park leaving horse-potatoes
- Prone to vivid green algae in summer
Location:
Loslopen.net 