At first sight you might not think of Rotterdam as a ‘green’ city but that’s a wrong impression most people from out of town, and even locals, have. Imagine a park upon the rooftops of a row of shops, about 1200 meters long. That’s DakPark. Find and visit it at Delfshaven as it’s the biggest rooftop park in Europe.
The area has transformed much over the years, from a rough and neglected part with buildings in shambles to new stirrings happening. I’m happy to see that besides a new shopping area, they added a park high above street level.
It’s really nice and spacious, overlooking the industrial part and the river on one side and Delfshaven on the other side. The park has a Mediterranean herbal garden, an area for kids, a BBQ zone, a communal garden with fruit bearing trees and a restaurant. You can reach it by several entrances up the stairs or by using the elevator of the restaurant.
Local neighbours are involved as they volunteer by keeping an eye out during opening hours, planting/maintaining the trees and plants etc. Unfortunately, there’s quite a rabbit plague.
The city has lots of parks, botanical gardens like the Arboretum Trompenburg and the botanical garden Afrikaanderwijk in the south part.
This park is a great addition in making a city greener/colourful and better.
Every September it’s the annual month of parks with loads of events so go outside and check out all the other green parts of the city.
