Long ago on this very spot stood the J Zimmer and Sons iron foundry. This is the Zimmerterrein. It’s hard to imagine now isn’t it? Instead of a petting zoo and playground there were towering furnaces and the clang of hammers. This small park in Amsterdam West was once a bustling industrial site. The foundry produced Amsterdam’s first bollards. They also made lampposts and manhole covers. Some of those original creations still grace Amsterdam’s streets today. After the foundry closed around 1970 the area lay abandoned. Then came Frits Bottelier nicknamed Ome Kick. He fought against development. He organised children’s activities. For many locals it remains the Landje van Ome Kick. The Zimmerterrein was renovated years ago. A petting zoo called Stadsboerderij Zimmer opened in 1996. There is also a playground and a grassy area next to the Kostverlorenvaart canal. A community center called Buurtcentrum de Havelaar stands nearby. Although the park doesn’t have an official name everyone calls it the Zimmerterrein or Ome Kick’s little field. The transformation from iron foundry to green space shows Amsterdam’s ability to adapt and preserve its history. The Zimmerterrein is more than just a park. It’s a testament to industrial heritage community spirit and Amsterdam’s unique blend of old and new. It whispers tales of industry and play. It’s a place where the past and present peacefully coexist. A reminder of the Zimmerterrein’s past lives on in the name. The animals the children and the tranquil atmosphere create a beautiful park perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Isn’t it amazing what transformations this place has witnessed? Enjoy your visit to the Zimmerterrein. Remember the story of Ome Kick and the iron foundry.
Zimmerterrein
Discover cities like never before.
Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.
More Places in Amsterdam
RK Begraafplaats Overtuin
Tranquility surrounds you. You stand before RK Begraafplaats Buitenveldert. This isn’t just any cemetery. It’s a place steeped in history.
Boterhuisbrug
Slipping through time, let’s journey back to a small fishing village nestled beside the Amstel River. Imagine Amsterdam in the
Landgoed Duin en Kruidberg
How did a modest hunting lodge become a five-star hotel? Welcome to Landgoed Duin en Kruidberg a place where history
Spoorbrug HIJSM
Slipping through time, let’s find ourselves in 1837 Amsterdam. Excitement crackled in the air. The Hollandsche IJzeren Spoorweg-Maatschappij (HIJSM), the
de Bibliotheek Hillegom
Have you ever felt the quiet hum of turning pages? Right here before you stands de Bibliotheek Hillegom. This unassuming
Cornelis Ritterbrug
How many stories could this humpbacked bridge tell? The Cornelis Ritterbrug stands before us a testament to Amsterdam’s intricate network