Starting October 3rd, the Drongengoed forest area gains a brand-new entrance: Parking Pilkem. This new infrastructure, the third alongside Parking Krakeel and Parking POL, offers space for 110 cars and 36 bicycles, aiming to significantly reduce parking pressure and ensure safer traffic flow in the largest forest area of East Flanders.
To mark the start of the Week of the Forest, a festive opening day will be held on Saturday, October 3rd. At 10:00 AM, the official opening ceremony will take place at Parking Pilkem, followed by a celebratory drink. Registration is available via www.aalter.be/opening-pilkem.
Between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, visitors can embark on a discovery tour along a marked route of approximately 5 kilometers through the Drongengoed and Maldegemveld. Starting points include Parking Pilkem, Parking Krakeel, or the Drongengoedhoeve. Along the way, six stops will feature interactive activities for children and information about the landscape and nature. Participants with a completed stamp card will receive a small gift.
The commissioning of Parking Pilkem is accompanied by a redesign of traffic flow. The Drongengoedweg and a section of the Westvoordestraat will be converted to one-way traffic and designated as a bicycle zone. With a speed limit of 30 km/h and priority for cyclists, the aim is to create more tranquility and safety for recreational users and reduce pressure on the vulnerable natural environment.
The Agency for Nature and Forest invested approximately €400,000 in the construction of the parking lot and associated infrastructure, carried out by Hevabouw. This project, a collaboration between the Agency, the municipalities of Aalter and Maldegem, and the Ministry of Defence, aims for a high-quality visitor experience that respects nature, enjoyment, and traffic safety.
The new parking lot is located on land owned by the Ministry of Defence, made possible through strong cooperation in the area. This contributes to sustainable access and protection of the Drongengoed area.
The municipalities of Aalter and Maldegem emphasize the importance of collaboration for smooth accessibility and traffic safety. The new parking and traffic regulations represent a significant step forward for local mobility, fostering more peace and safety for families, cyclists, and recreational visitors.
For the Agency for Nature and Forest, the opening of Parking Pilkem is excellent news for nature conservation. By managing visitor flow in a structured manner, parking pressure is removed from the heart of the forest, better protecting its vulnerable nature and ecological values.
