Brick kiln factory

Location: in Steendorp between the Fort of Steendorp (west), the Steenbakkerij (south), the Kapelstraat (north) and the Gelaagpark (east)

Owner: Min. v.d. Vlaamse Gemeenschap, AWZ, afd. Maritime access.

Size: 17,6 ha

The large clay pit has been filled with grout from the Deurganck dock and redesigned as:

a) nature reserve (15 ha)

Management : Agency of Nature and Forest.

The area is sown with grasses and clovers. Oak, ash, woodcress, blackthorn, mountain ash, hawthorn and hazel are planted with oak as the main species (50%). There is barbed wire around these plantations because there are also 2 Galloways grazing. These are Scottish highland cattle (without horns). They stay here all year round. In this way, the area is grazed and clearings remain. In the summer they are sometimes assisted by ponies. Since the soil comes from the Deurganck dock, one finds Zeebies and Zeeaster here. Red eyebright can also be seen here in the summer. Due to the many clovers and the rapidly warming soil, you will find many butterflies here. Dragonflies also find this a nice area.

(b) park area (2,6 ha)

Management : Green service municipality of Temse.

This area is furnished with a walnut drive with benches, an orchard with apple, pear, cherry, medlar, mulberry and plum. There is a large lawn with here and there toys in wood and a real castle built in wood. The municipality has also built a "Luzzie" with information about the area and the history of Steendorp. A "Luzzie" is a drying shed where the bricks were allowed to dry. A petanque area and a Finnish walkway have been constructed.

Accessibility: Both in the nature reserve and the park area you can walk freely. No dogs are allowed in the nature reserve.

Several walks are organized.

Info: natuurpunt scousele subsection of Natuurpunt-Wal.

[email protected]

Gregor Legein