1. Start from Meeting island
The western walk starts from Meeting island near Gelderlandplein in Gijsbrecht van Aemstelpark, see photo 1 (Google Maps 52.33 North; 4.88 East).
Photo 1:“Tree of life” on Meeting Island
Meeting island is in the middle of Gijsbrecht van Aemstelpark and also in the middle of Buitenveldert. Gijsbrecht van Aemstelpark was built in the sixties during the construction of Buitenveldert. Since 2015, the park has been a national monument. The park is named after Gijsbrecht van Aemstel, lord of Amstelland from 1252-1296. The park is about 2 km long and 200 meters wide and connects the Amsterdamse Bos with Amstelpark.
Photo 1 shows ‘a tree of life’ of steel and glass. It was designed by Angie Abbink in 2015. Here you can regularly find activities such as musical performances, sports training and jeu de boules. There are facilities to play chess and table tennis. There is also a diamond memorial. On the diamond is a text: “If you could remember what I remember you would understand”. This text is by Elie Wiesel. He said this when he was awarded the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize. The diamond was made in 2014 by Mischa Raker in memory of the victims of the Second World War.
Instructions 'Buitenveldert West'
- Start from Meeting island
- Go west
- Second path at your right hand
- Pedestrian tunnel
- Go right at the bridge
- To Hunneschans
- Along Van der Boechorststraat
- Go back a bit
- At the end of Weldam turn right
- Cross Amstelveenseweg
- Optional blue route
- To the Bosbaan
- To the park shop
- Optional red route or black route
- Follow cycling path at your left
- Left at the end of the cycling path
- Cross Amstelveenseweg
- Kalfjeslaan
- Left to the Ecolint
- Leaving the Ecolint
- Turn right into Van der Boechorststraat
- Playground Goudestein
- Project 'Green in the neighbourhood'
- Cross Van Nijenrodeweg and go to instruction 28
- Jan Heinenbrug
- Straight on until Van der Boechorststraat
- Left into Van der Boechorststraat
- Go right across the bridge
- To the old playground
- Go back to the footpath
- End