West Flanders opens 92 new picnic areas, exceeding goals

West Flanders has successfully completed its ambitious plan to establish at least one new picnic area in every municipality, ultimately creating 92 new spots over five years. The initiative, driven by tourism company Westtoer, responded to a clear demand from recreational cyclists, who number over 7.5 million annually and expressed a need for more resting places during their day trips.

Initially budgeted at 250,000 euros for one spot per municipality, the project's scope expanded significantly, with Westtoer investing 800,000 euros, partly through European funding. This expansion has resulted in 92 well-equipped zones, offering cyclists and walkers a place to relax amidst nature.

The project also innovates by offering picnic boxes at five locations, allowing visitors to retrieve pre-ordered, chilled baskets via QR code. These baskets can include local delicacies like wine from Heuvelland, along with a traditional checkered tablecloth. Local authorities can also continue to order specially designed furniture through Westtoer's purchasing center to create additional recognizable rest stops.

One of the newly opened zones in Stuivekenskerke, near Diksmuide, is situated along the IJzer river in a historically significant area. The site commemorates heavy fighting during World War I, adding a layer of historical reflection to the recreational space. Reporter Ignace Destorme of Wandel.be praised the location, noting its high traffic of walkers and cyclists, beautiful setup, parking availability, and excellent accessibility for people with disabilities.