Deurne (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Construction has begun in Deurne on Ringpark Het Schijn, the 3rd of 7 Ring Parks. Design by Ongeving, De Urbanisten, Ney& partners. The first phase, including 2 islands and 3 entrances, is scheduled for completion in spring 2027.
As VRT News reported, work has begun in Deurne on Ringpark Het Schijn, the 3rd of 7 Ring Parks planned in Antwerp and the second on the right bank. This will build 2 new islands. The first is a park island with a sand play area, a climbing course, a panna football cage and a 3×3 basketball court. The second is a nature island with wetland areas, boardwalks and space for wildlife.
“It’s fantastic to see how our visions from years ago have now been transformed into concrete plans,”
Says Peter Vermeulen of Ringland.
“This Ring Park is yet another project to be proud of.”
What does Ringpark Het Schijn mean for Antwerp’s seven-park plan?
Ringpark Het Schijn is managed by AG Vespa and designed by Omgeving, De Urbanisten and Ney & Partners. The first phase of the new park, which includes the 2 islands, is scheduled for completion in spring 2027. Citizen groups such as stRaten-generaal, who pushed for these parks during the discussions on covering the Ring, welcomed the start of construction.
The nature island will form the lowest part of Ringpark Het Schijn. It will be developed as the wild section of the park with reed fields and wetland areas along the Groot Schijn. Boardwalks will guide visitors through the natural landscape without harming the environment. A new footbridge from Lakborslei will connect directly to the island. A separate bridge for cyclists and walkers will also cross the site. The lower ground is designed to collect stormwater during heavy rainfall.
The park will also feature 3 new neighbourhood squares as main entrances. They will be located at the pumping station, at Ten Eekhovelei and at Lakborslei. The rectory garden at Rodekruisplein will also serve as an entrance. A second phase can only start after the Oosterweel connection is completed. That stage will cover the park area behind Ten Eekhovelei and 2 new covered sections of the Ring Road.
Ringpark Het Schijn is part of De Grote Verbinding, the programme linked to the Oosterweel connection that will reconnect Antwerp’s districts by covering parts of the Ring Road with new green zones. The plan for the 7 Ring Parks was approved in 2018 after years of debate with citizen groups such as stRaten-generaal and Ringland, who had been active since the mid-2000s in calling for healthier surroundings along the Ring. The first park, Ringpark West, was completed at the start of 2025, while work on Pomppark Zuid, a project within Ringpark Groene Vesten, began in May 2025.
