Bruges residents bring new life to their waterfront green corridor

In Bruges, the city’s waterfront story is being shaped by the people who know it best. Along the former railway line at Spinnerijpad, residents have worked together to re-imagine a modest green corridor and turn it into a lively community space. What began as a simple idea has grown into a steady rhythm of hands-on activities, each one adding a new layer to the area’s character.

The year started with neighbours gathering to build a willow tunnel, craft small insect hotels and prepare flower beds. These early efforts set the tone for a collaborative approach that has continued throughout 2025. During the circular festival in March, volunteers assembled herb planters for the neighbourhood, adding edible greenery and a welcoming scent to the path.

Spring brought another burst of colour. At the spring workshop in May, residents planted wildflowers and made seed bombs, helping the green corridor support more biodiversity while giving it the relaxed charm of a shared garden. During the Kaaifestival on May 18th, the community inaugurated the new neighbourhood bench made from plastic collected by the local residents.

What was once a quiet strip of land is now a well-used spot where people meet, garden and exchange ideas. The momentum has also led to the launch of the first citizen committee in the Kaaidistrict, created after a group visit of the neighbours to Horeca Totaal, a large retailer in their neighbourhood. During the visit, the Re-Value SeaTowel made an appearance, symbolising the group’s growing connection to the ongoing Re-Value Your Waterfront Campaign.

With every workshop, planter and shared conversation, residents are showing how a green corridor can become a genuine community asset. Their work hints at a future where the Spinnerijpad is not only a path through the neighbourhood but a place shaped and cared for by the people who use it every day.