Vision Wassenaar Slag

Wassenaar's coast and beach are important for recreation and tourism. Not only Wassenaarders, but also people from the region enjoy nature and the beach here. Therefore, the municipality worked on a new vision for the Wassenaarse Slag that lays the foundation for a safe, sustainable and attractive family beach, with respect for nature and space for contemporary and inclusive facilities. 

Wassenaar's coast and beach are important for recreation and tourism. Not only Wassenaarders, but also people from the region enjoy nature and the beach here. Therefore, the municipality worked on a new vision for the Wassenaarse Slag that lays the foundation for a safe, sustainable and attractive family beach, with respect for nature and space for contemporary and inclusive facilities. 

Attention to a valuable beach 

With this project, the municipality is tackling overdue maintenance and giving De Wassenaarse Slag the attention it deserves. The municipality wants to preserve and strengthen the unique character of the family beach: a place where recreation, conviviality and nature experience come together. After completion, De Wassenaarse Slag will be responsibly redesigned and equipped with free guarded bicycle storage, basic facilities such as toilets and showers, wheelchair-friendly paths and safe beach entrances.

Meeting place

A green dune square forms a meeting place that enhances the experience of nature in Meijendel and Berkheide. With play and sports facilities and a kiosk open all year round, the square provides space for relaxation and activity. It also serves as a starting point for walks along the beach and through the dunes, with clear and marked routes for young and old.

Phased implementation

To minimize disruption to businesses and visitors, the work is being carried out during the winter months, when beachside restaurants and cafes are closed. This ensures that the beach remains easily accessible during the busy spring and summer seasons. To ensure the project is carried out carefully, a phased approach spanning several years has been adopted. Phase one has been completed. To make room for the new dune plaza, the roundabout has been relocated and redesigned. The section of road between the De Kuil parking lot and the beach has been repaved. The sidewalk along the road up to the roundabout has been extended and renovated, and new parallel parking spaces have been created. Yellow pavers were used, giving De Slag a fresh, natural look. A portion of the area next to the sidewalk has been returned to nature, where marram grass has been planted. 

The construction of the new dune plaza and the renovation of the beach access are scheduled for the winter of 2026–2027. A full-scale bicycle parking facility will be built at Zeelust during the winter of 2027–2028. Following that, the Zeelust and De Kuil parking lots will be renovated and paved.

Laurens van Doeveren, Alderman Affairs: “With this revitalization, we are investing in our beloved family beach, which will become an accessible place where nature and recreation are in balance and that invites visitors all year round. The Wassenaarse Slag will receive a quality boost. We are therefore delighted that work has begun, so that we can turn our vision for the beach into reality.”

Check this project page and the environmental app for more information and updates or contact ITC Group's Environmental Manager Kelly Bosch at 06 - 43 49 56 92.

Planning

  1. Completed: The starting memorandum was adopted - Completion date

    The starting memorandum was adopted in April 2024. This is a document prepared at the beginning of a policy process or project to set the framework and approach. It is the first step in preparation and provides direction for the follow-up process.

  2. Completed: Survey - Completion date

    A survey of residents was distributed through municipal channels in July and August 2024 to gather input, such as what residents would like to see at Wassenaar Slag. 

  3. Completed: Workshops - Completion date

    From July through September 2024, there will be working workshops with key stakeholders, including Dunea, NPDH, the Forestry Commission, the Province and beach tent operators. 

  4. Completed: Launch renewed vision - Completion date

    From May through December 2024, work will begin on creating a renewed vision for the Wassenaar Slag, discussing and incorporating all outcomes of participation with residents and stakeholders. 

  5. Completed: Vision presented to committee - Completion date

    On Jan. 14 and Feb. 11, 2025, the vision was presented to the committee.

  6. Completed: Vision presented to city council - Completion date

    On March 4, the vision was adopted by the City Council. 

  7. Completed: Vision Statement

    In 2025, the municipality will continue with the design phase of the vision. Soon the municipality will work with Dunea and Staatsbosbeer to develop the recreational concept, which will include investigating whether new recreational routes can be realized in the area. 

  8. Completed: Work on Dune Square - Completion date

    To make room for the new dune square, the traffic circle will be moved and redesigned. The section of road between parking area De Kuil and the beach will be asphalted and the footpath along the road to the traffic circle will be extended. The beach will remain accessible on foot at all times during the work. During the reconstruction of the traffic circle a detour route will be set up for the accessibility of parking lot Zeelust and Brasserie de Badmeester. The work will be carried out in cooperation with, among others, contractor D. van der Steen. 

  9. Still to do: Work Phase 2 - Completion date

    In the winter of 2026-2027, the design of the new dune square and the redesign of the beach entrance are planned. 

  10. Still to do: Work Phase 3 - Completion date

    In the winter of 2027-2028, a full-scale bicycle parking facility will be constructed at Zeelust. Following this, the parking lots Zeelust and De Kuil will be redesigned and asphalted.

Will the beach become more accessible to the disabled?

Yes, we are working to make the beach more accessible to everyone, including the disabled. We are planning amenities such as special parking spots close to the beach and an extended access path to the high-water mark. Among other things, we also want to install additional railings at the beach entrance, provide better information for beach wheelchairs, add an additional restroom and organize a staffed information point. Accessibility is an important part of our plan for a more inclusive family beach.

What are the plans for the parking lots?

The original plan was to keep the same number of parking spaces. During discussion at the council meeting on March 4, 2025, an amendment proposed that a number of parking spaces not be reconstructed. Because these parking spots are at right angles along the road, they could cause unsafe traffic situations. Also, the spots are used less than 10 times a year on average. This amendment was approved on March 4, 2025. There will soon be 734 parking spaces instead of 837.  

The municipality wants to greatly increase the number of bicycle parking spaces in a new guarded bicycle shed. This includes space for cargo bikes, tricycles, electric bikes, mobility scooters, and so on. 

Does the renewed vision for De Wassenaarse Slag take enough account of the natura-2000 area and nature?

In the participation process, Dunea, Staatsbosbeheer and the Province of Zuid-Holland participated and they support the plans. Among other things, we opt for a guarded and free bicycle shed, so that people are more likely to go by bike and car use to the beach is expected to decrease. Of course, all plans will be tested and implemented within the legal framework of Natura 2000.

What does the renewed vision for the beach all entail?

The vision, in short, means that the vision does not focus exclusively on visiting the beach, but also on the large nature area of Meijendel and Berkheide. This requires a new layout in which meeting, playing, recreation and enjoyment of the dunes will play a larger role. The current layout dates from the time when the car played an important role in the experience of freedom, and therefore parking lots had a dominant role. Current times call for a more integral approach to nature, (bicycle) mobility, inclusion and meeting. Besides the redesign of the dune square, we want a clear marking at the entrance to the National Park Hollandse Duinen. By placing this marking, visitors at De Klip will be aware that they are entering a protected nature reserve. We also want to make the cyclists' crossing at Hotel Duinoord safer.

Will the road to De Wassenaarse Slag be made even more traffic-safe?

Yes, part of the plan is a more traffic-safe route to the beach. By the way, in the winter of 2025, asphalting of the road will already be started, which will include a number of traffic safety measures. In addition, the plan provides for a more safe crossing at Hotel Duinoord, in addition to the redesign of the rest area near Duinoord.

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