Veerplas () is an artificial lake directly east of the

Dutch Dutch commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands * Dutch people () * Dutch language () Dutch may also refer to: Places * Dutch, West Virginia, a community in the United States * Pennsylvania Dutch Country People E ...

city of Haarlem. It was dug in 1994, mainly for recreation purposes and forms part of the

Spaarnwoude Spaarnwoude is a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer and lies about northeast of Haarlem. Overview The village was first mentioned in the first half of the 11th century as Spirnere ...

recreational area. The lake measures 450 by 400 metres. The southern shore is formed by a

constructed wetland A constructed wetland is an artificial wetland to treat sewage, greywater, stormwater runoff or industrial wastewater. It may also be designed for land reclamation after mining, or as a mitigation step for natural areas lost to land development ...

used for water purification. Large numbers of

waterfowl Anseriformes is an order of birds also known as waterfowl that comprises about 180 living species of birds in three families: Anhimidae (three species of screamers), Anseranatidae (the magpie goose), and Anatidae, the largest family, which i ...

may be found here and along the swampy eastern shore during the winter season (e.g. greylag geese,

wigeon The wigeons or widgeons are a group of birds, dabbling ducks currently classified in the genus ''Mareca'' along with two other species. There are three extant species of wigeon, in addition to one recently extinct species. Biology There are ...

common goldeneye The common goldeneye or simply goldeneye (''Bucephala clangula'') is a medium-sized sea duck of the genus ''Bucephala'', the goldeneyes. Its closest relative is the similar Barrow's goldeneye. The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek ...

s). The local angling club has released carps into the lake. A sandy beach measuring some 300 m was created at the western shore. An area sufficiently shallow to accommodate safe swimming by inexperienced bathers is cordoned off. Furthermore, a grassy sunbathing area sporting a public toilet adjoins the lake, as well as a children's adventure playground. The lake is only a short walking distance from

Haarlem Spaarnwoude railway station Haarlem Spaarnwoude is a railway station in Haarlem, Netherlands. It is located east of the Haarlem city centre and south of Spaarnwoude, on the Amsterdam–Rotterdam railway. The N200 road (from Amsterdam to Haarlem) runs parallel to the railway ...

and relatively close to the A200 and A9 motorways. This favourable location has helped to make it a popular area for organising mid to large-scale events. Thus, 2006 saw the Circus Herman Renz pitch its tent alongside the lake.

Future development of the Veerplas area

The municipality of Haarlem's ''Spoorzone'' masterplan provides for the construction of 260 houses along the Veerplas's western shore. The construction of a recreation center accommodating sports activities, nature education and catering is also planned.Sports & Adventure Plaza de Veerplas B.V.

References

{{reflist Lakes of the Netherlands Landmarks in the Netherlands Landforms of North Holland