Green Lung Public Walk

Guides from IVN Laarbeek will take you on a walk through the Green Lung of Beek en Donk.

This is a park-like area situated between the villages of Donk and Beek, a water-rich area with large trees, woodland planting, a canal embankment, and lawns. It forms an ecological corridor between the Zuid-Willemsvaart and the Goorloop, a green strip that was once a marshy plain. The Music Garden and the Laarbeek Town Hall are located in this area.

The IVN guides will let you enjoy what nature has to offer here. The walk follows partly semi-paved paths and runs for a large part of the Bird Nature Trail. Last year, members of the bird working group De Ortolaan replaced all the bird nesting boxes with new, sustainable ones. A new suspension system was used for this purpose. Signs are placed throughout the area to tell you about the nature. The Green Lung contains both native and non-native trees, shrubs, and flowers. The ponds and water features enhance biodiversity in this unique part of Beek en Donk. Water from the Zuid-Willemsvaart, rainwater from the Beekse Akkers, and local groundwater all contribute to the water management. In recent years, storm drains have been installed here and there from surrounding neighborhoods to improve flow. Many bird species can be found in the park; in recent years, there have been quite a few geese. The kingfisher breeds there regularly, and the nuthatch, green woodpecker, and great spotted woodpecker are permanent residents. And of course, you will see and hear tits everywhere, and perhaps also the blackcap and the chiffchaff.

The walk starts at the Parkpaviljoen and takes about two hours. Put on your comfortable shoes and join us!

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