The Julianapark is the only park in Schiedam that is protected as a monument. Nowadays, its design is still very similar to the design that the municipal landscape architect J.K. Dominicus drew in 1914. The park was the first part that was constructed during the development of the new West district. The pond was an important part of the water management in the former polder area, which was reclaimed from 1907 onwards.
Dominicus designed a park with curved paths in a landscaped design, combined with several formal avenues and sight lines, such as the access path from Burgemeester Knappertlaan. An artificial hill or belvedere was constructed in the centre of the park, from where there is a beautiful view of the park. The crowning dome is surrounded by a brick pergola. The colonnade with lime trees is also characteristic. There are more beautiful trees in the park, such as a beech and hornbeam, and the liberation tree planted in 1947.
There are several monuments in the park, such as the Emmabank from 1935 and a liberation monument from 1949 by Pieter van Starreveld. Many older Schiedammers still remember the magical lighting of the Julianapark during the 'Holiday Festivities' in the fifties. This lighting was not easy, for example the eight kilometres of electricity cables had to be buried in lawns, flower beds and paths. The manager was therefore not initially enthusiastic. With Winterlicht in December the beautiful effect can be relived.
NB. Fortunately this lighting was not always on. The adult male youth had secret meetings in the park at night with the young student nurses who stayed in the convent next to the park.
Translated by Google •
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