The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Het Sweeltje

Sitting by the Maas near Limburgse Fla feels like vacation 😊

A beautiful walking area where peace and emotion intertwine. So many names of people who contributed to peace and security for all of us. A moving memory.

Roermond City Marina is a large marina and watersports location in the small village of Herten on the outskirts of Roermond in the province of Limburg, the Netherlands. The marina is situated on the Maasplassen, one of the largest connected watersports areas in the Benelux region, where rivers and lakes converge, making watersports a key component of leisure and recreation in the region. The marina complex has undergone extensive renovations and improvements in recent years, and between 2016 and 2021, the marina was completely redeveloped and modernized, making it one of the highest-quality inland marinas in Central Limburg. The renovation resulted in a modern, low-maintenance marina with excellent facilities for berth holders and visitors. Roermond City Marina consists of two sections: the larger section, known as City Marina itself, and the smaller section, Next Door. The main marina section has approximately 520 berths spread across 12 floating jetties, accommodating boats ranging from 6 to 20 meters in length. The smaller Next Door marina has two additional jetties with approximately 97 berths and a floating sanitary building. All jetties are equipped with water and electricity connections year-round, and the marina boasts a modern building with excellent sanitary facilities, including toilets, showers, and winter storage and maintenance facilities. There is also a parking lot with access control, lighting, environmental waste disposal points, and chemical toilet disposal facilities. The marina is situated on almost 21 hectares of private land and water, offering ample space for both boats and associated facilities. Harbormasters are on hand to assist berth holders with mooring their boats, and there are facilities for both permanent seasonal moorings and passing moorings for passing water sports enthusiasts who want to explore the Maasplassen lakes and the surrounding countryside. City Marina is located in the village of Herten, just a few kilometers from Roermond's historic city center. From the marina, you can easily cycle or walk to shops, restaurants, and amenities in Herten itself, as well as to the city of Roermond with its extensive shopping offerings, including the renowned Designer Outlet Center, and historical sights. Its location on the Maasplassen lakes makes the harbor ideal for water sports enthusiasts. This lake and river environment offers opportunities for boating, sailing, fishing, and recreational use of the water. Many permanent mooring holders return here year after year for the combination of natural tranquility and excellent infrastructure.

In many cities, utility boxes, electricity boxes, and traffic control systems have become commonplace objects in public spaces: dull, gray metal boxes along streets, sidewalks, and intersections that are technically necessary but offer little visual value. In recent years, however, many municipalities have transformed these objects into vibrant works of art in the streetscape, a practice internationally known as utility box art or utility box street art. Essentially, decorative utility box art is a form of street art in which utilitarian objects such as electricity boxes, traffic control boxes, and utility boxes are painted, covered, or given an artistic wrap. This often occurs with the approval of municipal departments or as part of public art programs. Municipalities, cultural organizations, and neighborhood initiatives often invite local artists, students, and even children to transform these objects into kaleidoscopes of color, image, and narrative.

The Akcros paint factory was one of the earliest and most important industrial companies in Roermond. Established in 1869 along the banks of the Roer River in what later became the Willem-Alexanderhaven area, the factory produced paint and related chemical products for construction and industry. Its location directly on the water allowed the factory to import raw materials and export products via the river, a major logistical advantage at the time. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Akcros grew into a major employer in Roermond. The factory served not only as a production and trading center but also as part of the major wave of industrialization in Limburg. Workers from the city and surrounding area found work there, and the company's presence contributed to the city's urbanization and social development. After decades of operation, the paint factory declined in importance during the 20th century, partly due to technological changes, competition, and shifts in production. In the second half of the 20th century, Akcros moved from its original factory site, after which most of the buildings were demolished or adapted for other purposes. Where chimneys and factory buildings once stood, now mainly open space and water features remain, with only a few visible remnants of the industrial past. Today, a few remnants are still visible in the area around the former factory, such as: The large chimney that once formed part of Roermond's industrial skyline. Remains of brick facades and structural fragments, and foundations and wall remnants that reveal the scale of the old production halls. The former Akcros site is now part of Akcrospark and walking routes along the river. The area has been transformed from an industrial zone into a green recreational area where residents and visitors can walk, cycle, and relax. The remains of the factory, particularly the chimney, stand as silent witnesses to its industrial history and add visual and emotional weight to the transformation from a production area to an urban green space. This development ensures that the area remains relevant and enjoyable: not only as a place for relaxation but also as a reminder of Roermond's economic and social development over the past century and a half.

Along the Roersingel canal in Roermond, you'll find the former site of the Akcros factory, an industrial location that was once part of the city's manufacturing and factory heritage. Several factory buildings, connected to Roermond's industrial development, stood on this site in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, most of the buildings have been demolished, but the large chimney and the remains of one of the factory buildings, the so-called ruin, have been preserved as silent witnesses to this past. These remnants form a recognizable element in the landscape and have been incorporated into Akcrospark, a green recreational area where you can now stroll and relax along the water and former factory sites. The chimney is the most striking object still standing: it rises above the park and forms an urban landmark of the area. It serves as a reminder of the industrial activities that once took place here and is a rare remnant of the old factory complex. Nearby, you'll also find the ruins of a former Akcros building, still visible in the park. Although dilapidated and partially collapsed, it reveals the scale and structure of the factory buildings that once functioned here. The combination of the ruins and the chimney contributes to an industrial memorial site in present-day Roermond, where urban greenery and heritage converge. These remnants—the chimney and the ruins—make Roermond's industrial past literally visible in the contemporary cityscape. The site serves not only as a historical reference point but also as an interesting destination for a walk through the city, where you can experience the historical contrast between the old factory life and the modern park.

Great for dogs that like water

Nice for a longer break.