From today there will be patrols to assess if there is enough space in the park
Translated by Thomas Ansell
The Gemeente Leeuwarden has had to act with a new set of regulations following significant overcrowding at the Prinsentuin garden in the city, reports the Omrop Fryslân.
In recent days, the number of people making the most of good weather in both Leeuwarden and Grou has made parks and gardens too busy for safety. Therefore, to make sure that social distancing (of 1.5-metres) can be maintained, the Gemeente has installed new regulations for the upcoming Pinkster long-weekend.
Prinsentuin split into two
The Prinsentuin, which was originally the pleasure garden of Prince Willem Frederik van Nassau, was opened in 1648 but remained closed to the public for over 150 years: it was finally opened to the people of the city by King Willem I.
For the upcoming weekend, the garden has been split into two, with separate entrances and ‘safety officers’ to control entrance. If the park becomes too busy, the gates will be closed to new people. After the upcoming weekend the regulations will be used whenever there is warm weather.
Aside from this, there are set walking routes on the Nieuwestad and Wirdumerdijk shopping streets. If crowds form on the historic Kleine Kerkstraat, Lombardsteeg, or Doelesteeg they will also be subject to controls.
Flyers for tourists in Grou
Grou, a pretty town within the Gemeente Leeuwarden with a popular lake called the Pikmar at its centre, also saw crowds form on Ascension Weekend. Large notice boards have been erected by the side of the lake reminding people of their obligations under the social distancing laws, and flyers will be available in three languages to inform tourists.
Image: the Prinsentuin, by Wikimedia user Gouwenaar. License here.
