Ever since 2013 a small group of residents of Den Hoorn has been actively developing a concept for the village for the next 10-20 years in regards to the future concept of the island of Texel. This has resulted in a Development Plan for the most southern village of the island, from which the Loods project has sprung.
One of the components of the Loods project is the ambition to improve the quality of the landscape of the beach ramps at post 9 and 12. The dune area around Den Hoorn, including the sand bank de Hors is part of the National Park ‘Dunes of Texel’; a diversified landscape with many wet dune valleys situated between dry dunes, heather fields, salt marshes, forests and beach plains. The beach ramps often cause scenic disturbances to this special natural landscape. The parking lots with loads of ´tin´ are during the high season often visible from a great distance. In addition, the beach ramps suffer from a congested scenery due to the many advertising displays and signs. The main goal of the project Beach ramps Texel is therefore to strengthen the natural character of the beach ramps and visually blend them in with the surrounding landscape. The design concept of MTD landscape architects / urban designers also focuses on the way of Den Hoorn towards the ocean; the experience of visiting the beach already starts at the village and not just at the beach ramp. There is already an experiential element included in MTD’’s design of the village square, which can form the base of such a way towards the beach.
The beach ramp itself will literally be a highlight in this route. Hereby Den Hoorn will be connected with the ocean just as it was in old times, strengthening its identity as a village core on the island of Texel.