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Just near the crowded Leidseplein a park stretches deep into the south-west of Amsterdam, a very varied park. In the summer many fields near the water are full with people who are all enjoying the sun, near the open concert stage you may find yourself enjoying a free live performance, in a very relaxed atmosphere. Some parts are a paradise for children, including a very large playground.

In the 60's the Vondelpark was a paradise for hippies, a lot of this atmosphere can still be experienced today. The Vondelpark is probably not the most posh-looking park in the world, it's a park where 19th century style, hippy lifestyles, 80's post-modern anarchy and today's trends come together.

As mentioned before, the park stretches deep into the south-west, while you are walking or cycling through it, you will see a variety of places, each place with its own look and feel. The first part from the Leidseplein is quite a narrow path towards the a place near a large pond, where people relax in the summer. When you move on you will encounter sportfields, a concert stage, a few oasis of tranquility, playgrounds for children, all surrounded by large 19th century mansions.

Background
When the park was finished it was called "het Nieuwe park" (The New Park), later a statue of the famous poet Vondel was placed and eversince the park is called Vondelpark. Back then it was a project sponsored by an organization named "Society for creating a park for riding and strolling", but in 1953 this organization could no longer afford to maintain the park, so they donated it to the city of Amsterdam. Believe it or not but the terrain on which the park is built is actually sinking. Researchers are trying to find ways to prevent this from happening, but it's a realistic scenario for the park that towards 2020 the waterlevels will become so problematic that the trees in the park may drown.

All we can do in the present is having faith in science, that they may come with a good solution, but if they don't let's just enjoy the park for now.
So if you want a few relaxing days within Amsterdam during your stay, the Vondelpark is (still) a great option!

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