Racecourse

In 1929-1930 a horse racing track was built in 'De Zwinduinen en -polders'. The Paardenmarktbeek was partly concreted to serve as an obstacle. For the construction of the racecourse, the grounds were levelled, concrete fences were erected and viewing hills were constructed. Until the 1960s, international show jumping events were organized annually. The most famous participant was Prince Bernard of the Netherlands. In September 2007, the dilapidated remains of the racecourse were removed as part of the nature restoration project 'LIFE-ZENO'. The poplars and willows around the former jumping area were removed or pollarded because they had a negative impact on the vegetation due to leaf fall and shade. The course of the former Paardenmarktbeek was made visible again in the landscape. At the height of the hawthorn in the middle of the grassland was the concrete jumping box. At the back, the former viewing hill can still be seen.

Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos