Initially built for the Floriade flower show in 1982, the Tjasker Gaasperpark stands as a testament to Dutch ingenuity. This small drainage windmill, a type known as a paaltjasker, showcases a simple yet effective method for managing water. It is located in the Gaasperpark.
Imagine this: it’s 1978. The Tjasker Gaasperpark is constructed, ready to be a highlight of the upcoming Floriade. This wasn’t just a pretty exhibit. It was a working model. It demonstrated how small pieces of land could be drained.
The Tjasker Gaasperpark once played a role in the park’s landscape. It actively pumped water. Over time, however, the Tjasker fell into disrepair. Trees grew around it. They blocked the wind. The wooden structure deteriorated. The water gutters disappeared.
The Tjasker Gaasperpark became unable to rotate. The cost to repair the windmill became too high. It was no longer functional. Its condition was very poor.
In 2024, a decision was made to give the Tjasker Gaasperpark a new lease on life. The municipality of Amsterdam and Recreatieschap Groengebied Amstelland collaborated to move it. The Tjasker is to be relocated to an oeverlandje. This is a piece of land along the Gein river. The Gein is a small river a few kilometers from the Gaasperplas.
A mill owner initiated the move in 2023. He aimed to restore the mill and make it operational again. The Tjasker Gaasperpark was removed from its island on June 10th. It is currently undergoing restoration in Aalsmeer. The restoration should be finished in the spring of 2025.
Once restored, the Tjasker Gaasperpark will be managed by a mill association. It will help pump water during floods. It will be operated by a volunteer miller. Though no longer in Gaasperpark, the Tjasker is not forgotten. A sign will commemorate the Tjasker Gaasperpark as a unique object. The sign will include directions to its new location.
The Tjasker Gaasperpark exemplifies the Dutch relationship with water. This small windmill is a reminder of human innovation.