Erasmuspark - Amsterdam

Erasmuspark is located in the Bos en Lommer district of Amsterdam West. Before the area was designated as a city park in 1921 and 1922, it mostly consisted of farmland and peat meadows. In fact, it was then still part of the former municipality of Sloten, which was later absorbed by the expanding capital and is now part of Amsterdam.

In 1926 the first phase of park construction began. Due to economic setbacks, only part of the park was completed in 1927, about four hectares, with the Desiderius Bridge as the first entrance from Jan van Galenstraat. In 1939 the park was officially named Erasmuspark, after the Dutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus (1467–1536). At that time, it was still unfinished.

From 1950 onwards, work started on expanding the park and managing water flow in the area. In 1952, the layout first drawn up in the twenties was finally completed. The park has remained roughly twelve hectares ever since.

Less than ten years later, the park was redesigned with inspiration from the art of Piet Mondrian. Straight paths were added along with a large central lawn surrounded by clusters of trees.

For many years, the Desiderius Bridge was the only entrance to the park. Later, two additional concrete bridges were added to improve accessibility.

The Erasmuspark has a calm and open atmosphere with grassy areas surrounded by a canal. It features a bee garden, a public football field and the striking Miracle Garden, a colourful flower garden created by artist Elspeth Diederix.