European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 11, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Keuken Hof continued from Page 11 to explore other Sites in the southwestern Netherlands but like Many of the visitors their real reason for visiting the country in Early april was to get a glimpse of the Netherlands National Flower Quot we came to see the tulips a Halvorson said because it was Early in the season Only about a third of the tulips were in Bloom. But that still meant thousands of Flowers for the Keuken Hof is much More than tulips. On this Day the grounds were a palette of Spring colors deep Blue and White hyacinths purple White and Gold crocuses Brilliant Crimson tulips Bright yellow daffodils arid Narcissus soft Pink Cherry blossoms. The Keuken Hof has a Long history but the Flower show is a comparatively recent creation. In the 15th Century the site was part of the landholdings of the countess Jacoba Van Beirne who used it As a Hunting Reserve and vegetable Berb Garden. Hence the name Keuken Hof dutch for Quot Kitchen Garden.�?�. The Park was developed in its present form in 1949 As an exhibition site for the Region s Flower bulb producers today the Keuken Hof is still a living advertisement for one of the country s most important agricultural products the Netherlands produces some 8 billion bulbs annually exporting 5.5 billion a and also a major tourist attraction a. A. Some 6 million to 7 million bulbs Are planted on the a a 70>ac.re grounds of the Keuken Hof each year. Gardeners can note some of their favourites which Are labelled by name and grower. Nearly 50,000 Square feet of greenhouses provide glimpses of More exotic Flowers such As orchids. T the Keuken Hof is a far cry from a Mere Flower Garden. It is an artistically integrated landscaping arrangement. Walkways wind among Beds of Flowers that alternate with carefully manicured lawns patches of Woods and flowering shrubs and rows of huge Beech Trees. As throughout the Netherlands there is water everywhere streams Ponds canals mob waterfalls at the fringes of the Park visitors can gaze out across some of the vast expanses of tulips and daffodils where commercial growers produce their bulbs. But the Keuken Hof has plenty of other diversions besides the scenery a Windmill dating from 1892 attracts Large crowds. Cafes and snack bars offer food drink and a place to sit and relax. There Are also photo Flower and souvenir shops. Most of the facilities Are designed to accommodate visitors including the handicapped in the Best manner possible. The Only inconvenient aspect is a practice that is widespread throughout the Netherlands charging a fee for the use of the restrooms. In keeping with the dutch National attitude the v Keuken Hof is very child Friendly. The Park s extensive playground rings with the laughter of youngsters climbing slides ladders Bridges and a giant Quot spider  san franciscan John Nielson had come to the Keuken Hof with his wife Jincy and their two children to 2, and Bryte vhf. Like Many parents the Nelsons who live in Brussels Belgium have Learned that cities hold Little fascination for youngsters. Quot with children you spend a lot of time at Parks he said. Quot this is the nicest Park i be Ever  because the vast majority of the Flowers Are Spring bloomers the gardens Are open for Only a relatively Brief period. Last year More than 800,000 people visited the Park during the less than two months it was open. According to Annette nederhoff in the Keuken Hof information office the number of visitors this year is ahead of 1990 s Pace. Nederhoff said that this Spring the blossoms should reach their Peak the weekend of april 20. A packed Field of parked cars attests to the popularity of Keuken Hof. 72 stripes Magazine april 11, 1991 visitors examine an unusual sculpture set amid the gardens natural Beauty. Travel Erst tips sixteen year old Julie Mackelberg of Belgium rides playground equipment underneath a flowering Almond tree. The Keuken Hof is in the town of Lisse the Netherlands about 18 Miles Southwest of Amsterdam and Only about eight Miles South of Haarlem. Its location makes it easy to Combine with visits to other destinations in the southwestern Netherlands. In addition to Amsterdam and Haarlem other nearby cities include the Hague Rotterdam Leiden and utrecht. The beaches at Schev Ningen and arid port Are also close by. From Central Germany take autobahn  from Frankfurt past Cologne to the dutch Border. There the Road becomes Netherlands Highway a-12. Take a-12 to utrecht and then follow a-2 North in the direction of Amsterdam to-a-9 and a-4 South. Take the Lisse exit off a-4  the signs in Lisse to Keuken Hof. This year the Keuken Hof opened on March 28 and will close May 20 the tulips Are expected to reach their Peak the weekend of april 20. Admission is 13 guilders about $6.80 for adults and 6.50 guilders for children 4 to 12. Children under 4 Are free. Parking costs 2 guilders for the Day. Free wheelchairs Are available for handicapped people the Park is open 8 . To 6 30 . Daily. Buc fours to the Park Are available at local travel offices. Be sure to read the tour details carefully. Many of these Tours allow for Only a very Brief Stop at Keuken Hof. There is so much to see that visitors should plan to spend at least a half Day at the gardens. Go during the week to avoid the biggest crowds. A. Quot a. A a ,. On april 27 the Region will hold the Flower. Parade of the duty h bulb District. The Parade begins at 10 . In Haarlem and continues throughout the Day to Bonne Broek Hil Egom Lisse Passenheim and Noordijk. This year s Parade theme is Quot toys in . For More information about the Keuken Hof Contact tourist information office Grac Tweg 53, 2161 he Lisse Netherlands Tel 0031 -2521142.62 National Flower exhibition Keuken Hof  Box 66, 2160 a Lisse Netherlands Tel. 0031-2521-19034 or any Branch  dutch National tourist office a Norm Zeigler april 11, 1991 stripes Magazine 13