De Valkenier

Last updated

De Valkenier
Valkenburg, Pretpark Valkenier02.jpg
De Valkenier
TypeAmusement Park
Location Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands
Coordinates 50°52′05″N5°49′26″E / 50.868°N 5.824°E / 50.868; 5.824
Opened1934
Closed2021
FounderJan Albert Otermans [1]
Managed byNancy Otermans (2008-present) [2]
Visitors180.000 per year
StatusClosed
Website https://www.pretpark-de-valkenier.nl/en

De Valkenier (English: The falconer ) was an amusement park in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands. The attractions focused mostly on families with children below the age of twelve. Founded by Jan Albert Otermans in 1934 under the name Ontspanningsoord Natuurbad Valkenburg (English: Recreational natural pool Valkenburg) it was the oldest amusement park in the Benelux countries. Starting with a rowing pond with a playground and pool, the park added attractions over the years and slowly grew into a modern amusement park. A rollercoaster and other mechanised entertainment was introduced in the 1970s and 1980s and the name of the park was changed to De Valkenier.

Contents

History

The park was founded in 1934 by Jan Albert Otermans under the name Ontspanningsoord Natuurbad Valkenburg (English: Recreational natural pool Valkenburg). [3] This makes it the oldest amusement park in the Benelux countries, with Duinrell opening a year later. [4] The first attractions were a rowing pond and playground. Soon a mixed gender pool was added. Otermans expanded the park with non-mechanical attractions like slides and playground equipment. After his death in 1975 his children continued the park, added mechanised attractions, and changed the name to its current name De Valkenier to fit the content. [4]

Attraction tax

In 2004 the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul introduced a new attraction tax which would increase taxes for the park. After the tax was introduced, it was proposed to move the park to the Steinerbos attraction park in Stein. However, the park did not move. [5]

Management

The amusement park is a family business. Jan Albert Otermans was succeeded by his son and two grandsons before the current manager, great-granddaughter Nancy Otermans took over in 2008. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckriders</span> Gang from folklore

The Buckriders are a part of Southern Dutch and North-Eastern Belgian folklore. They are witches, who rode through the sky on the back of flying bucks provided to them by the Devil to rob and murder common people and church possessions. The trials against the buckriders differed from 'ordinary' criminal proceedings because in many cases a so-called 'ungodly oath' was involved. Once a year, they would visit their master, the Devil, on the 'Mook Heath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valkenburg aan de Geul</span> Municipality in Limburg, Netherlands

Valkenburg aan de Geul is a municipality situated in the southeastern Dutch province of Limburg. The name refers to the central town in the municipality, Valkenburg, and the small river Geul passing through it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six Flags America</span> Amusement park in Maryland

Six Flags America is a theme park and waterpark located in the Woodmore CDP of Prince George's County, Maryland, near Upper Marlboro, adjacent to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alton Towers</span> British theme park

Alton Towers Resort is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton. The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, mini golf and hotel complex. In 2021, it ranked first for attendance among amusement parks in the UK, with an estimated 1.8 million visitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palisades Amusement Park</span> Amusement park in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States

Palisades Amusement Park was a 38-acre amusement park located in Bergen County, New Jersey, across the Hudson River from New York City. It was located atop the New Jersey Palisades lying partly in Cliffside Park and partly in Fort Lee. The park operated from 1898 until 1971, remaining one of the most visited amusement parks in the country until its closure, after which a high-rise luxury apartment complex was built on its site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thornden Park</span> United States historic place

Thornden Park is a 76-acre (31 ha) park in Syracuse, New York, United States, which is the second largest in the city after Burnet Park. It was purchased by the city in 1921 and has become a favorite wedding location in the Syracuse park system. It is located in Westcott, and borders the University and University Hill neighborhoods. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 as part of the Historic Designated Landscapes of Syracuse, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geulhem</span> Hamlet in Limburg, Netherlands

Geulhem is a rural hamlet in the south-eastern Netherlands, part of the former Berg en Terblijt council, now Valkenburg aan de Geul council. It is situated between Houthem and Berg en Terblijt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berg en Terblijt</span> Former municipality in Limburg, Netherlands

Berg en Terblijt is the official Dutch name of a village in the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul in the province of Limburg in the Southern part of the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Waves Theme Park</span> Amusement park in Washington state, United States

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park is an amusement park and water park in Federal Way, Washington. Opened in 1977 as The Enchanted Village, the park is a popular summer destination in the Pacific Northwest. The park's name was reverted to Wild Waves Water Park and Enchanted Village Amusement Park in April 2016, and once again changed to Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in November 2016, as a result of the park's acquisition by EPR Properties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hulsberg</span> Village in Limburg, Netherlands

Hulsberg is a village in the southeastern Netherlands. It is located in the municipality of Beekdaelen, Limburg, about 15 km east of Maastricht.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paultons Park</span> Theme park in Hampshire, England

Paultons Park is an amusement park located in the New Forest National Park, near the village of Ower, in Hampshire, England, with over 70 rides and attractions. The Peppa Pig World themed area is based on the children's animated television series Peppa Pig. The Lost Kingdom themed area includes 27 animatronic dinosaurs. The park name is derived from the former Paultons Estate, on which the park is situated. The park covers 140 acres of land and features a collection of around 80 species of birds and animals, in addition to the rides. Most of the theme park rides are designed for children and families, which is why the park considers itself a family theme park. The nearest railway station is Totton which is 5.64 km away from the attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cauberg</span>

The Cauberg is a hill in Valkenburg aan de Geul, a town in the South Limburg region of the Netherlands. The hill played an important role in the early development of tourism in Valkenburg. Today, several major tourist attractions are situated on or nearby Cauberg. The hill's fame is mainly due to the many cycling races and championships that were held here. The length of the climb is around 1,200 metres (0.7 mi), with a maximum grade of 12%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oud-Valkenburg</span> Village in Limburg, Netherlands

Oud-Valkenburg is a village in the Dutch province of Limburg. It is located in the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul, and has about 115 inhabitants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mananchira</span>

mananchira square is a man-made freshwater pond park situated in the centre of the city of Kozhikode (Calicut) in Kerala, southern India. The pond is 3.49 acres in area, is rectangular in shape and is fed by a natural spring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holiday Park, Germany</span> Amusement park in Haßloch, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

Holiday Park is an amusement park in Haßloch, Germany, owned and operated by Plopsa. It is one of Germany's most popular theme parks and is part park and part woodland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nashville Shores</span> Amusement park in Tennessee

Nashville Shores is a waterpark, adventure course, and campground located in Hermitage, Tennessee, along the shore of Percy Priest Lake. Nashville Shores is located adjacent to Interstate 40. The site was previously the location of Hermitage Landing, a marina, campground, and recreational complex that opened in 1971. Hermitage Landing closed in 1997, and the Nashville Shores waterpark opened on the property one year later. In 2009, Nashville Shores was sold to investors Kieran Burke and Gary Story, two former Six Flags executives. The resort is owned and operated by Premier Parks, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermitage at Schaelsberg</span> Building in Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands

The hermitage at Schaelsberg is a monumental hermitage in Schin op Geul, in the municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands. Built in 1688 for the lords of nearby Schaloen Castle, the chapel and attached living space, housed a succession of 16 hermits from its foundation until 1930. The chapel and nearby stations of the cross, added in 1843, are a national monument. Since 1758 a yearly procession, the Sjaasbergergank, is held to the hermitage, and this procession is listed as national intangible cultural heritage. Located in a tourist area of South Limburg, it is a popular tourist attraction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schaloen Castle</span>

Schaloen Castle is a castle in Oud-Valkenburg in the South Limburg municipality of Valkenburg aan de Geul in The Netherlands. The castle is a national monument. Together with the Johannes de Doperkerk and Genhoes, it is part of the protected face of Oud Valkenburg. It is also part of the Buitengoed Geul & Maas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marjon Lambriks</span> Dutch operatic soprano

Marjon Lambriks is a Dutch soprano who made an international career, especially in Austria. Her focus became operetta, whether performed on stage, for the radio, or in recordings. She recorded the role of Annina in Verdi's La traviata alongside Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.

References

  1. Nostalgische pret voor een nostalgische prijs, Limburgs Dagblad, 13 August 2009
  2. 1 2 Pretpark in Valkenburg echt familiebedrijf, TV Limburg, 11 August 2014
  3. Commercial for "Ontspanningsoord Natuurbad Valkenburg in Zeeuwsch Dagblad, 25 August 1962
  4. 1 2 De Valkenier at parkspot.eu, reviewed on 7 March 2015
  5. De Valkenier Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine at limburg-actueel.nl, viewed on 7 March 2015