Etten-Leur, Breda and Zundert partners in Van Gogh National Park

30 maart 2020

The colleges of Zundert, Etten-Leur and Breda have approved the draft Master Plan Van Gogh National Park (Van Gogh NP). The three municipalities jointly join the existing 37 Brabant parties as equal partners. The then 40 parties will then work together to strengthen the nature area in the region, and an integral development of nature, landscape, culture and regional economy.

Van Gogh National Park
The cooperation ensures conservation and strengthening of nature and biodiversity, a beautiful and healthy living environment, sustainable agriculture, sustainable tourism and strengthening of the business climate in Brabant. It matches the values that Van Gogh stood for: an eye for nature, landscape and people. The National Park label opens doors for a range of activities and developments in West Brabant. It shows that your area really matters, it generates budgets and it provides focus for new partners, companies and institutions. The Master Plan is basically a sketchbook for the landscape of the 21st century. The park combines the knowledge economy of Brainport and BrabantStad with beautiful natural areas, the small-scale Brabant stream landscape and the tangible heritage of Van Gogh.

Added value for West Brabant municipalities
The municipalities of Zundert, Etten-Leur and Breda are excited to join this development. It gives an unambiguous label to the region and ensures that, with a good approach, all three municipalities will benefit from this brand. A clear brand and a clear message can give an impulse to all kinds of tourist, cultural and social developments. With its birthplace (Zundert), its first years as an artist (Etten-Leur), its family ties (Breda) and the paintings and drawings from this area, it is a logical choice to embrace the Van Gogh National Park. The municipalities have confidence in the further development of the Master Plan.

Quotes Aldermen
Johan de Beer, alderman Zundert: "I am standing here by the Kleine Beek in Zundert. Vincent Van Gogh drew inspiration along the waterfront and the agricultural landscape. That same waterfront, the streams, now form the basis for the National Park Van Gogh. National Park Van Gogh is a beautiful common compass for the future."

Kees van Aert, Etten-Leur alderman: "Vincent Van Gogh wrote and drew a lot in and about Etten-Leur. That's why the Van Gogh National Park suits us well. I am standing here along the Lange Vaart, this place is famous for Vincent van Gogh's drawings and paintings."

Marianne de Bie, alderman Breda: " Breda has a rich history with many family ties to Vincent van Gogh. A cooperation in the West Brabant region shows that we are fully prepared for the future of a National Park with high ambitions."

Partners Partners in Van Gogh NP
Province of North Brabant, Staatsbosbeheer, Brabants Particulier Grondbezit, Eindhoven Airport, Van Gogh Sites Foundation, IVN, VisitBrabant, ZLTO, Rabobank, Brabants Landschap, Natuurmonumenten, VNO-NCW, Stichting Zet, Stichting Nationaal Landschap Het Groene Woud, the 3 water boards and 23 municipalities, including the B5.