This is not an official spot, but on the corner of the Houtmanpad and Westerlikje Randweg, is a field that is pretty much surrounded by canals, making it quite a safe spot to play in. The Blinkertpad is the pathway that runs from De Beartrixschool down the middle of the two parts of the field, and stops short by the canal. Literally a road to nowhere!
You can park in Abel Tasmankade and walk over the little bridge by the Kinderopvang onto the Houtmanpad. Follow this path underneath the Randweg to the field. It will take just 15 minutes or so to walk around the whole field, so this is not a long walk, but I often use it as part of a leash-walk day and plan this field in my walk for a little energy release.
If you want to extend your walk, at the other end of the field by De Beartrixschool is another exit, walk past the school and turn left to walk towards Duinvliet and make a big round trip, or turn right to Brouwerskolkpark to make an even bigger round trip!
The Houtmanpad is an official losloopgebied but is shared by cycles, and as it goes past a school and two kinderopvangs, so it is also populated by little people not noticing off leash pups until they trip over them, or worse – wanting to stroke them! Hold onto your pup as you walk past the Beatrixschool – either it gets busy outside the gates when kids are being picked up, or the gates are simply left open…
I understand this field is actually private land and the owner simply allows dog owners to use the space, so do be respectful and be sure to clean up after your pup, even if the grass is sometimes long. There are poop bins close to the school or along the Houtmanpad.
Pros:
- Small walk but large empty space to run around
- Pretty good as a training spot
- Excellent if you are short on time but want your pup to burn energy
- Can easily hook up to other walking spots to extend your walk
Cons:
- Houtmanpad can be busy with cycles
- The field gets very, very wet and soggy if there has been enough rain
Where is it?
Loslopen.net 