Discover the Zuiderplantsoen – Groningen's newest city park

We all know the Noorderplantsoen, the Stadspark, the Sterrebos and perhaps more of Groningen’s green spots, such as Kardinge, Het Roege Bos and the Westpark. But… with the arrival of the Zuiderplantsoen, Groningen just got a little greener.

On Thursday 8 May 2025, around 4:00 p.m., the new Zuiderplantsoen in Groningen opened. This park, created on top of the sunken section of the southern ring road, brings together nature, history and modern urban development. Although the park is directly accessible for walkers and cyclists, in the first weeks some areas – such as the newly seeded grass – are not yet ready for use. The official festive opening will take place on Saturday 13 September 2025 with a grand opening festival.

Location and size

The Zuiderplantsoen stretches, just like the sunken ring road below it, from the Hereweg to the Oude Winschoterdiep. The park includes:

• the two historic parts of the Sterrebos (now reunited),
• the garden surrounding the DUO building,
• and a new neighborhood park between the Oosterpoort and De Linie.

Cars are not allowed here: the Zuiderplantsoen is a car-free oasis with wide walking and cycling paths.

Aerial impression: Zuiderplantsoen

Walking and cycling routes

At the heart lies the Esperantopad, an important east-west route for cyclists and pedestrians. This path connects to the new Esperantotunnel, which runs under the railway and links the Oosterpoort neighborhood with the Herewegbuurt and Helperzoom.

There is also the Sterrebospad, which follows the original star-shaped design of the historic Sterrebos. Thanks to its special construction, this path is also accessible to people with “slow wheels” such as wheelchairs and strollers.

The Zuiderplantsoen, a park full of history

The park was designed by landscape architect Paul Kersten of design bureau wUrck. His vision was to make the rich history of this area visible and to weave it into contemporary urban nature:

• Ice Age: the glacial boulders in the park recall the penultimate Ice Age, during which the Hondsrug – the ridge of boulder clay on which Groningen is built – was formed.
• Fortified city: in the 17th century, Groningen was attacked from the south, leading to a defensive line at the site of today’s park. This line is still visible along the so