De Valkenier

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.

De Valkenier
TypeAmusement Park
LocationValkenburg aan de Geul, Netherlands
Coordinates50.868°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
Websitehttps://www.pretpark-de-valkenier.nl/en

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]

  • Entrance
    Entrance
  • View from the entrance
    View from the entrance
  • Safari and ferris wheel
    Safari and ferris wheel

References
  1. Nostalgische pret voor een nostalgische prijs, Limburgs Dagblad, 13 August 2009
  2. Pretpark in Valkenburg echt familiebedrijf, TV Limburg, 11 August 2014
  3. Commercial for "Ontspanningsoord Natuurbad Valkenburg in Zeeuwsch Dagblad, 25 August 1962
  4. 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
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