First hops harvest at Máximapark

It was a colorful crowd of volunteers and local brewers that helped sort the hops harvest from the Park pergola last Saturday the 26th of September. Councilor Kees Geldof, who planted the hops plants in spring this year, took down the first cones. In only a few months the hops plants have covered a substanial part of the 3.5 km long Park pergola that marks the entrance to the Binnenhof in Máximapark.

The Park pergola, designed by West 8, consists of an elevated construction of honeycomb-elements, made out of durable concrete. Friends of Máximapark (Vrienden van het Máximapark), a collaboration of local residents responsible for the management of the park, took care of the hops plants during the summer. Extending almost 6-meters in length, the hops plants cascade from planters that are designed to fit into the upper section of the honeycomb pergola structure.

In addtion to hosting different climbing plants, the pergola also offers shelter and nesting places for local flora. In this way the Park pergola gives nature more space whilst simultaneously bringing it within reach of visitors.

Brewery Maximus is working on producing the first barrels of ‘park beer’. The name of this locally brewn beer is yet to be announced but the first taste will be ready this autumn.