Bio diverse Paper Island in Langeraarse Zuidplas

constructed entirely naturally from willow lattices

The recreational function of the Langeraarse plas has increased considerably in recent years. For example, people walk and cycle along the Kerkpad, and on the lake itself there is plenty of boating, fishing, sailing and surfing. To meet the recreational needs even more, a new public recreational and water sports island will be built on the Kerkpad, which runs between the villages of Langeraar and Papenveer.

Sustainably constructed

"In the middle of the Kerkpad in the Zuidplas, an island of some 1,900 m² large constructed in a very sustainable way," says Dick van Aalsburg, owner of Van Aalsburg, who took on this project as part of a construction team. "We were asked by the client municipality of Nieuwkoop and the Foundation for the Development of Ecological Paper Island (STOEP) because we are the party that has a patent on sustainable island building with natural materials."

Van Aalsburg combines traditional knowledge with modern working methods and professional management in a socially responsible manner. The 300-year-old craft of shoring has been passed down from father to sons and the company and its enthusiastic team are renowned in the Netherlands and abroad for their knowledge and experience in the field of, in particular, zinc pieces, drift fences and shoring.

The required material will be dredged in the lake itself. In this way, we will create a deeper waterway which will contribute positively to the water quality plan for this lake.

Willow Grid

"The island is built up by knotting and sinking nature-friendly sinkers braided from at least 1 year of decayed willow fencing," Van Aalsburg says. "Our professionals build the willow lattices up to a height of 3 meters in 1×1 meter sections from a pontoon. This eventually creates an elongated structure of about 20×90: the island. Then the compartments are filled with dredged material (peat silt) from the shipping lanes of the Langeraarseplas."

This area-specific development helps preserve and enhance the spatial quality of the area. "By dredging the required material in the ponds themselves, we create a deeper waterway which makes a positive contribution to the water quality plan of Water Board Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland for this lake." Van Aalsburg is currently busy pre-dredging and part of the island has already been built up. "We are also constructing nature-friendly banks -by means of pre-planted coconut mats- and lee screens will be installed. Together with the island, this will strengthen the biodiversity of the lake area."

Recreational island

The top layer of earth used to cover the sinkers comes from fields in the area. This will be further covered with grass for the public sunbathing area and with sand for the sandy beach. The island will have a fully automatic self-cleaning toilet and bicycle storage on a paved area. At the ends of the island will be jetties, some for scouting. "We will make a willow fence near the scouting area and build a viewing tower about 10 meters high." Van Aalsburg concludes, "Thanks to the enthusiasm of the foundation and its initiators, there will soon be a beautiful nature-friendly Paper Island that many people will enjoy!"