Old Lands cemetery upgrade project

update Sept. 13: City Council Working Visit and Publication Feedback Exhibition Old Lands

On Wednesday, September 11, the City Council paid a working visit to Oude Landen Cemetery. DDis working visit was centered on the qualitative upgrade of the cemetery and the work that has been done as a result. Afterwards, council members received the feedback document from the exhibition and dialogue afternoon, as previously promised to visitors to the exhibition. 

The city council was very appreciative of the improvements made at the cemetery and extensively complimented the construction team for their efforts.

Update July 29, 2024: Exhibition and afternoon of dialogue

The first week of June 2024, we organized an exhibition at Old Lands Cemetery for seven days to explain the changes and gather feedback on until the qualitative upgrade of the cemetery. This exhibition concluded with an afternoon of dialogue on Friday, June 7. Representatives of the Municipality of Nuenen, Stichting Beheer Gemeentelijke Begraafplaats Oude Landen and Jos Kanters Groenvoorziening entered into a dialogue with visitors about the developments at the cemetery. Thanks to this broad representation, the lines of communication were short and visitors received quick answers to their questions. 

The following themes were addressed: 

  • Park environment and biodiversity: flower mix and mowing policy; tree planting and healthy soil; underplanting.
  • Amenities: sanitation; flower cutting table; foot washing area; watering cupboards and water point; inventory of benches and seating; activities.
  • Maintenance: access walkways and parking lot; stormwater runoff; cleanup.
  • Process.

The exhibition generated 20 written responses. We spoke with 12 visitors during the dialogue afternoon. We are very satisfied with the turnout and the visitors' responses.

About the process (the exhibition and dialogue with opportunity for response) we received many positive comments. Some of the reactions are:

  • "Great to have the opportunity to submit responses and think with us.
  • "Information well presented, clear!"
  • "A suggestion box like this (the red mailbox during the exhibition) should always be allowed to stay."
  • "That you guys are continuously improving and taking visitors through the info boards is super! Nice development".

In September 2024, the City Council will visit the cemetery. They will then receive feedback from the exhibition and afternoon of dialogue we had with visitors. 

Photos

Update May 30, 2024: exhibit changes cemetery

Since early 2023, the municipality of Nuenen, together with Jos Kanters Groenvoorziening and the Stichting Beheer gemeentelijke begraafplaats Oude Landen, has been working on an "upgrade" of the cemetery. With these changes we want to give more expression to the original design of the cemetery: the development of a park-like environment. In the meantime, we have made many changes that we would like to share with visitors and other interested parties.

During an "exhibition" from May 31 to June 7, we will highlight the changes made in the past year. Visitors to the cemetery can comment. At the cemetery we will put up some signs with information about the changes and an opportunity to respond to some questions we have. To conclude, on Friday afternoon, June 7, between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., there will be a time to talk with the project team about the changes in the cemetery. You are welcome to attend!

Update May 23, 2024: new asphalt top layer walkways and parking lot

Starting in late May, a new top coat will be applied to the walkways and parking lot. This will make the walkways and parking lot look like new again. The work may cause some inconvenience to visitors, but of course we try to limit the inconvenience as much as possible. We expect the work to take about 2 weeks, depending on the weather.

Before the topsoil work takes place, a strip of asphalt will be cut out and removed in two areas of the cemetery (near the canopy). This will give the trees growing in this section more room for growth and development.

Update Oct. 5, 2023: modification of mowing policy

Adjustment of mowing policy

We have spent the past period experimenting with how the mowing policy can be adjusted while maintaining attention to biodiversity. The mowing policy of the past period gave a "messy" and "neglected" image to visitors. The sections where the grass was left longer and the sown flower mixture could be expressed were unfortunately not well distributed. In several places, the strips were too small in size or not naturally landscaped. In addition, there appeared to be too little space around the graves and in some places the graves were not easily accessible (for example, during a ceremony). The working group therefore decided - after consultation, input from visitors and on the basis of experience gained - to adjust the method of mowing policy. The following has been agreed upon:

  • All trails will be mowed as often as necessary to keep the length of grass short with more attention to quality.
  • A wider area around all graves and along all paved walkways will be mowed short to create more space for accessibility.
  • There will be no small strips where the grass grows longer. A strip should be of sufficient size and not obstruct the view of and access to the graves.
  • In a number of places - including near the urn field - the grass will be cut completely short. In a number of other places, too, this will be fulfilled.

Flower mixture

Earlier we mentioned that letting the grass grow longer is intended to give the flower mixtures sown in the spring room to develop. This takes time, because the final image with flowers is usually not visible until 1.5 to 2 years later. This produces a different image in the period until then. The longer grass is cut 2 to 3 times a year so that the grass eventually becomes more sparse and the flower mixtures can develop. What is seen so far is not yet the mixture sown in the spring. According to the landscaper, in the long run this picture will become calmer with more color from the sown mixture.

Sanitary facility

During weeks 43 through 45, the new sanitation facility will be installed and its surroundings redesigned. Corten steel fencing will surround the sanitation facility. The facility will be open only during ceremonies and accessible via a yet-to-be-constructed path from the hearse stand at the entrance to the cemetery (to the left behind the large swing gate). This will temporarily cause some "inconvenience" at the entrance as machinery (including crane) is being used. The work has been coordinated so that we can keep this to a minimum for visitors.

Why upgrade?

The municipality of Nuenen, together with Jos Kanters Groenvoorziening and the Stichting Beheer gemeentelijke begraafplaats Oude Landen, is carrying out the project Upgrade cemetery Oude Landen. With this project we want to give more expression to the original design of the cemetery and the development of a park-like environment. During the project we also want to explore ways to achieve a higher level of quality in the management and maintenance of the greenery.

What does the upgrade entail?

We will work on a sustainable way to manage and maintain the cemetery's green spaces. During the project, the following will be accomplished such as planting new trees and plants, improving the soil structure, installing drainage and a top layer on the asphalt portion of the walkways and parking lot. There will also be new water taps with storage space for watering cans. We will adjust mowing in some areas to promote biodiversity. In doing so, we will keep in mind that existing and new graves will remain easily accessible. Sowing flower mixtures will attract more butterflies and insects. There will also be sanitary facilities for visitors during ceremonies and a flower cutting table with separate waste collection.

When will the upgrade take place?

The project started in early 2023 and will run until the end of 2024.

We will proceed carefully in all work, keeping in mind the special significance of this place. Do you have suggestions for improvements? Feel free to let us know at info@oudelanden.nl.

The illustration shows the process described above.
The image shows the process described above. Click on the image to enlarge.