In Marickenland near Vinkeveen, the Province of Utrecht, the Municipality of De Ronde Venen, Staatsbosbeheer, and the Amstel, Gooi and Vecht Water Board have transformed 150 hectares of pasture land into marsh and flower-rich grassland. A large nature playground has also been constructed for children to play in nature.
On March 11, 2026, the new nature reserve with the nature playground was officially opened. Marickenland is located in the Groot-Mijdrecht polder and now forms an important link between surrounding nature reserves: the Vinkeveense and Nieuwkoopse Plassen and the Natura 2000 area Botshol. The nature reserve is an extension of the Netherlands Nature Network (NNN) and offers vulnerable plants and animals more living space. This 150 hectares of nature completes sub-area 1 and is the first step of a total of 300 hectares of new nature.
Has Bakker, Deputy for the Utrecht Rural Area Programme: “This nature development required patience and commitment from all involved, but the result is impressive. Marickenland connects nature areas and thus contributes to stronger nature, more biodiversity, and recreation. We are handing over management to Staatsbosbeheer with confidence and hope that many people will enjoy this beautiful, future-proof nature area.”
How does new nature work?
In recent years, work has been done on nature development in Marickenland. For instance, four marsh blocks have been created: areas of land that remain wet due to a raised water level. To enhance biodiversity, low embankments have been constructed around the marsh blocks, allowing the water level to be raised gradually. This creates a variety of water, reeds, and wet grasslands, making the marsh blocks attractive to reed birds such as the great reed warbler.
In other places in the area, the nutrient-rich top layer of the soil has been removed. That sounds strange, but as a result, the variety of plants and insects such as bees and butterflies actually increases: the flowers, herbs, and plants they are attracted to thrive well on 'poorer' soil. Furthermore, new waterways and fish passages have been constructed, and ditches have been widened. All of this contributes to a healthy and varied aquatic system.
Vikingsveen Nature Playground
Thanks to walking routes and a nature playground, visitors can fully enjoy this versatile area. The Vikingsveen nature playground is located on the edge of the nature reserve, behind the Veenlanden College in Vinkeveen. Children can play there among unique wooden animal sculptures and experience nature up close. Local children contributed ideas to the design of the nature playground. Among the reeds, cattails, and other marsh plants lie various rambling paths and routes that invite exploration. Vikingsveen offers plenty of challenges and hours of fun for children and parents alike.
Cooperation and management
The first sub-project of 150 hectares has been realized thanks to close cooperation between the Province of Utrecht, the Municipality of De Ronde Venen, Staatsbosbeheer, and the Amstel, Gooi and Vecht Water Board. Staatsbosbeheer will manage the area. The nature playground is managed and maintained by the Municipality of De Ronde Venen.
Donny and Mariska from bureau RIS created the design for the nature playground, organized the delivery of the materials, supervised the execution, and arranged all the wood sculptures (via Treeworks).
More information: provincie-utrecht.nl/marickenland