Top 20 Lakes around Heers

A beautiful area of (only) 34.5 hectares, characterized by reed beds, cattail ponds, and pools fringed by shrubs or with open banks... These diverse habitats offer countless bird species places to forage, nest, hibernate, or rest during their migration. No fewer than 212 species have already been observed! (Source: www.natagora.be)

Today, the park is extremely overgrown, overgrown, and covered with car wrecks – we counted about twenty – and most of the park's trees are overgrown or have even become picturesque ruins that overhang the ponds or block the walking path. Solitary trees no longer stand alone; new growth plagues the entire park, disrupting the large lawn and the sightlines. However, careful clearing, a few mowings, and judicious new plantings of trees and flowering shrubs would suffice to restore the structure to its legibility and offer captivating and varied views.

1274: Heers Castle is first mentioned in a historical document. A century later, it is plundered and burned by the troops of Charles the Bold. The current castle is a result of reconstruction and dates from around 1500. The following centuries continued to be ravaged by war: the Dutch, French, and Germans all made their appearances. The De Rivière family, who had owned the castle since the 14th century, was declared bankrupt in 1757. From 1859 onward, the castle came into the possession of the Desmaisières family, who lived and enjoyed it lavishly... until the costs became too high. In the 21st century, the castle fell into complete disrepair due to conflict and lack of funds. Local volunteers launched a rescue initiative. Today, many partners are working on a new future for this impressive place steeped in history.

Our small country is a patchwork of small-scale nature reserves that overlap and influence each other, and that is also the case here. You are in the Mombeek valley, a stone's throw from Spoorwegzate and the Sint-Annabeek valley. From Opleeuw, a unique grassland hill bends towards Kerniel. Impoverished grass and hay fields of, among other things, glossy oat, marsh marigold and blue grass are in full development here and will attract various plants, including colourful orchids. Finally, note the high-stem orchards of Zammelen, the sloping forest and the many springs. In any case, there are enough information boards along the way to learn and read all about it. In short: variety galore. More about the Mombeek valley, the central area at this location, can be found at https://www.natuurpunt.be/natuurgebieden/mombeekvallei

The sports and recreation park is located on the edge of the city centre and functions as a green lung and recreational alternative to the busy city life. The city park is divided into a recreational and sports zone.

The ponds of Nieuwenhove are about to change. Nieuwenhove is getting a brand new visitors centre in the form of a pavilion on screw piles at the historic pond, which should make it seem as if it is floating. The building should blend in with the surroundings and biodiversity will play an important role. The reception building will not only be on a jetty at the pond, it will also have to enter into a 'dialogue' with the two well-known existing heritage buildings. In order to be able to create a natural clear fish pond, the carp will also be removed. Everything should be ready by the autumn of 2024. The building and the pond adjustments are just a few changes to the whole. For example, the avenue will be redesigned, the playground will be reorganised, the Kelsbeek will be partly relocated, the canal will be opened up to make water more visible, and so on. Info at https://www.limburg.be/Limburg/bouwt/Sites/Nieuwenhoven

In agricultural South Limburg, near the division between Dry and Moist Haspengouw, a tiny church village, Zammelen, is located on top of a slope, surrounded by a valuable piece of nature. Here in the Mombeek valley is an area that amazes you at any time of the year with its exceptionally rich and exceptionally varied nature. The nature reserve has the same name as the village on top of the slope: Zammelen. Here you can see the best of what the Mombeek has in store: a beautiful variety of ponds, standard orchards, hillside and swamp forests in the vicinity of the winding Mombeek. A wooded gorge is the old railway from Tongeren to Sint-Truiden that now functions as a cycle path.

In the Roman period, De Motten was located near the current city park. the Jeker a modest harbour. Even in the Middle Ages, this area was one of the most important trading areas of our city ('de Leuren'). However, in the first half of the 20th century the neighborhood fell into decline. The existing ponds were filled in and dump pits were built in their place. The site was only revalued in the 1950s. De Motten has since formed the connection between the city center and the new, more southerly residential areas. An outdoor swimming pool (now gone) was built as well as a sports stadium and tennis courts. Many Tongeren sports clubs found a home here! It was also in the 1950s that the then highly polluted Jeker was hidden underground! Thanks to many efforts, the water quality of the river has improved significantly in recent years! It was therefore decided to reopen the Jeker. It recently flows prominently again from the Velinx along the Kastanjewal towards Moerenpoort and city gardens. In this way, it is the link between the city center, the park and the neighborhoods around it. She connects the Kevie with the Velinx, nature with culture. Almost every Tongue resident or visitor can go to this park for some form of leisure experience. Sports, heritage and culture are central!