History of the Grenspark
Two countries - one nature
We now acknowledge Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide as a vast and diverse area through which the border between Belgium and the Netherlands runs. This explains its name, but not its history. There is also a narrative behind the area's diversity - a place where rare plants and animals find a habitat. You can read more about it below.
Every day, many visitors from Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond find the peace and quiet they so much need in the Grenspark. The beauty and silence of this area resonates with its history, because a nature reserve is not created overnight.
MTB News from the park
MONA News from the park
Origin of the landscape
Picturesque landscape
Battle for nature conservation
Squabbling over land use by 'high lords'
Let's start with the name: it comes from the land border between Belgium and the Netherlands that runs right through the area. Officially, that border only came into existence in 1843; before that, the area had a common history. Even then, there were borders: they indicated the territories of the local rulers, who regularly laid claim to each other's territories. At different periods, it was mainly the Lord of Bergen op Zoom, the Lord of Hoogerheide and half of Ossendrecht, as well as religious institutions such as the Convent of Huijbergen and the Abbey of Tongerlo that laid claim to each other's lands. They squabbled at the time over water, grazing land, peat extraction, hunting and fishing, tax collection and jurisdiction, among other things.
From fragmentation to cooperation
For centuries, the area was used as heathland. Around 2000, the highly valued landscape still consisted of nature reserves, agricultural smallholdings, forests owned by various governments, large private estates and isolated small forest properties. This made its management difficult; different properties, different municipalities with different laws, customs and objectives. Surely this could be managed much better and more efficiently? Under the partnership 'Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide', all parties have worked together since 2001 to create one nature reserve from the two countries: two countries, one nature reserve!