Just beyond Overvecht, Utrecht is preparing a major green-space project: Natuurgebied Zuilen, a roughly 40-hectare area of woodland, countryside and water along the river Vecht. The municipality describes it as a "green pearl" between the Vecht to the west, Slot Zuylen to the north, the Overvecht-Noord business park to the east and Franciscusdreef to the south.

Utrecht's municipal council approved the plans and design on 2 October 2025. The municipality says it adopted the detailed design in June 2026 and is now developing the final design.

What is planned

According to the municipality's project page, the area is to get several walking and running routes, picnic areas and bicycle parking at five entrances, three canoe landing docks, benches, natural sports elements along Manitobadreef, accessibility measures and information boards about local history.

One element is a "plukbos", or pick-your-own forest, with edible plants, fruit and nut trees, berry bushes and herbs. A "struinpad", an informal path through the grassland, is to open only for a short period so that nature can rest.

The plan also calls for the Vechtdijk between the J. M. de Muinck Keizerbrug and Slotlaan to become car-free, a new crossing over Franciscusdreef, restoration of a historic orchard and elm avenue, and more natural banks along waterways. Existing woodland is to remain, with measures intended to protect a bat colony.

The municipality's 2024 announcement said the aim was to strengthen biodiversity with a varied mix of grasses, herbs, shrubs, flowers and trees, combine this with nature-inclusive farming, make cultural heritage more visible and retain the area's quiet character. Green-space alderwoman Linda Voortman said biodiversity, cultural history and nature-inclusive farming can work well together.

The province contributes

The Province of Utrecht is contributing €1 million through its Groen Groeit Mee scheme. In a story published on 2 June 2026, it described plans for new bridges and boardwalks, play and sports areas, waterside rest spots and canoe docks. Activity is intended to sit at the edges while the core remains quiet.

The farmer who works land in the area is to remain involved under new management and lease arrangements, helping to combine nature development with nature-inclusive agriculture.

Timeline

The municipality says procurement is due to start in autumn 2026. It expects work to begin in the second half of 2027. Because construction will be phased around factors such as planting and breeding seasons, the last work is expected to be completed in 2029.

That schedule is consistent with the province's account, which describes what will change but does not say physical construction has started.

Who was involved

The municipality says the plan followed a participation process that began after residents raised concerns about an earlier proposal in 2022. A resident and user working group helped shape the first plan, and accessibility organisation Solgu advised on access.

For the later design, Utrecht says it gathered more than 2,000 questionnaire responses, including 250 through street interviews in Zuilen, Overvecht and the nature area itself.

What to watch

The next formal step is the planned procurement in autumn 2026. The municipality also says temporary plots along Slotlaan are being used for resident-led projects until December 2027, including flax cultivation, a Korean vegetable garden and a pick-your-own garden.