Genk (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Bokrijk’s Poorthuis renovation removes hedges adds Haspengouw plants, entrance trees and a café. Harvest markets showcase volunteer-grown veggies, fostering community and sustainability.
The renovation work at Poorthuis in Bokrijk has started by taking out the green hedge and trees around the old restaurant. The chairman Igor Philtjens, said they removed them because they didn’t fit the look they wanted for Bokrijk. They plan to make the area greener by removing the pavement. They will use old flower mixtures and shrubs typical of the Haspengouw landscape to make it look better. They want visitors to see a nicer first impression of the area.
How is Bokrijk’s Poorthuis undergoing renovations to enhance visitor experience?
The work at Poorthuis in Bokrijk has started.They will remove the pavement and add old flowers and shrubs to make it look better. They want to make the area more beautiful and in harmony with the landscape. They will plant tall trees at the entrance of Bokrijk to show the traditional farming landscape of Haspengouw. It will make the site look better when people arrive. These tall trees will not only look nice but also show the different landscapes in Bokrijk. They will make the orchard a place where people can hang out and chat. They will add a café or restaurant for drinks and food so visitors can relax and socialize before or after their visit. This way they want to make the orchard not just beautiful but also a nice place to chill and meet others.
What plans does Bokriik have for harvest markets and local produce?
Bokrijk might have markets at the end of the harvest season in the square. They want to sell fresh veggies from the gardens maintained by volunteers at the estate. Visitors can buy locally grown vegetables right there. The gardens, looked after by volunteers will have different veggies for sale at certain times. It has been said that this plan helps local farming and lets visitors enjoy buying fresh produce from the estate’s gardens. Bokrijk wants to have markets to celebrate the harvest season and show off the veggies grown by volunteers. They aim to make it a fun event for the community that supports sustainable practices and local produce.
They will put ticket machines and a counter instead of the booths where tickets are sold. The road will be changed to have paths on both sides for wheelchairs and strollers. The Toll House from Gelinden and the Gate House from Heers both from the 18th century were renovated before. They fixed the outside walls roof, stone, and woodwork. The renovations will finish by the end of the year and then they will work on the front of the entrance site.
