Didn’t professor Joop van Stigt think of every detail including the trees? The Professor Joop van Stigtpark is our next stop. This park is more than just a green space. It is a tribute to a visionary architect.
The Professor Joop van Stigtpark got its name in 2013. Locals wanted to honor Joop van Stigt. He designed the Gouden Leeuw and Groenhoven flats. These buildings stand proudly near the park. Joop van Stigt passed away in 2011. Naming the park after him took time. Dutch rules require a five-year waiting period after someone’s death.
The Professor Joop van Stigtpark stretches from the Bijlmerdreef in the south. It ends at the ornamental water north of the flats. The Bijlmerdreef metro bridge forms its western border. The eastern border is yet to be defined.
The Gaasperparkpad cuts through the Professor Joop van Stigtpark from north to south. The Ganzenhoefpad crosses it from east to west. The park is a meeting point and a place of connection.
In 2012, residents Jan Nijhof and Andrea Jonker started a petition. They wanted the green area named after Joop van Stigt. Over 350 people signed it. The Amsterdam Zuidoost city district approved the request. They recognized Van Stigt’s valuable contributions. His name is now forever linked to the Professor Joop van Stigtpark.
The official naming ceremony occurred on December 13, 2013. A city council member unveiled the street sign. André van Stigt, Joop’s son, was also present. The Professor Joop van Stigtpark became official.
Joop van Stigt’s flats were built in 1974 and 1975. Gouden Leeuw has ten towers with 400 apartments. Groenhoven has eight towers with 431 apartments. These were different from the Bijlmermeer’s honeycomb flats. Van Stigt gave the buildings a structuralist style. They feature many similar square units.
Joop van Stigt was very involved in the construction. He often visited the site. He gave instructions and paid attention to every detail. Residents still admire him. They appreciate his dedication and the soul he put into his work.
A large tree overlooks the field. Joop van Stigt planted this tree with the contractor Van Gent. They wanted to give the park a mature look right away.
The Professor Joop van Stigtpark also features a monument. It is called Monument for the city Amsterdam created by Pieter Engels. The Professor Joop van Stigtpark combines art, nature, and remembrance. It celebrates Joop van Stigt’s legacy.
As you wander through the Professor Joop van Stigtpark, remember Joop van Stigt. Remember his vision and his attention to detail. The park stands as a testament to his enduring impact on Amsterdam.