King Albert park
The King Albert city park is today a nice green connection between the station and the city centre. All who walks through the park , will slowly see the historical city centre rise up from the horizon. But first you will be welcomed by a sample of new Bruges, the big red concertgebouw.
It hasn't always been like this. Where the park is now, used to the trainrails on to which the trains steamed into the centre, on their way to the station. Then it was a beautiful neo-Gothic building on 't Zand. This building unfortunately was torn down after the station had moved. Along both side of the trails were broad strips of grass, left overs of the bleaching meadows. After the station was definitely moved and the racks were no longer of use, plans were made to give the territory a new function.
A first suggestion was a double thorough fare going from the new station to 't Zand, with housing on the both sides. Other plans talked of a builded avenue. It was a greener and more environment friendly plan that would be elaborated. A broad green passage to the city would be built. During the Second Worldwar a few suggestions were worked out by the head and the supervisor of the 'Office of plantations'. An important aspect of the plan was that it would lead the pedestrians away from traffic, which turned out to be very succesful. The execution of the plans started in the beginning of 1949. A lot of unemployed were involved within the scope of having an employment rate as high as possible in the period of redevelopment. These activities would take up four years. The monument of King Albert in the middle of the terrain was solemnly inaugurated in 1954. The end result was to the liking of everybody. Less beautiful views were strategically camouflated.
As a green entrance, the park meat the requirements of touristical develepment of Bruges. This layout also meant the definitive recognition of the necessity of more green in the urban expansion of the city.
