Love of nature: Noorderpark, favourite spot of Lieve Baetens

Prominent Utrechters talking about their favourite spot in the city. This month: Lieve Baetens, the new, 24-year-old managing director of the Volksbuurt museum in Wijk-C, tells us about Noorderpark Ruigenhoek.

So… Noorderpark?

‘Although I was born and bred in Utrecht, I’m more drawn to natural environments. I enjoy the peace and quiet and look forward to seeing how everything here grows and flourishes in spring (my favourite season). It also conjures up memories of my childhood. We moved to Tuindorp from the city centre when I was very young, and I used to walk the dogs here. I’m doing it again now actually, as I’ve moved back in with my parents for a bit. It’s close to my new job at the Volksbuurt museum, where I spent some time as volunteer and intern. I combine this with completing my degree course in Art and Heritage at Maastricht University.’

Biggest irritation?

‘The rubbish on the streets and particularly in nature, which can suffocate birds. And people: pick up your dog poo! I recently saw an old man whose walker was covered in dog poo and he couldn’t bend over to clean it off. It was disgusting. That’s why I so admire the refuge collectors. It’s a low-profile job, which people tend to look down on. Wrongly, because these people keep our city inhabitable.’

Lieve Baetens at the Noorderpark - photo: Juri Hiensch

Favourite restaurant?

‘As I have coeliac disease and can’t eat gluten, there aren’t many cafés and restaurants open to me. So I’m really happy with the two locations of vegan restaurant Gys, where the entire menu is gluten-free. And the Rose & Vanilla bakery close to the Amsterdamsestraatweg location, which sells gluten-free cakes. The lovely, moist carrot cake with a rosette of whipped cream is my favourite. How on earth do they do that without using dairy?’

Fondest memory?

‘The first thing that springs to mind is the Vrijmarkt on Queen’s Day when I was little. I was playing saxophone for charity, but the best part was wandering around with my mother. I’m fascinated by other people’s collections, even the ones people were selling from blankets on the ground. Like a collection of tiny houses with rabbits doing the housework. It’s the stories behind these collections that I love. The day-to-day items we exhibit in the Volksbuurt museum often get people talking. In the classroom, for example, we’ve got slates and old school pictures. It They spark memories in the older generation, and youngsters react with: Woh, these days we have IWBs. Interaction like this connects people.’

Last performance or concert you visited?

‘Philzuid was performing Mahler’s sixth symphony in the Theater aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht. Mahler is my father’s favourite composer. I’m really moved by classical music, so I’m delighted that my job is close to TivoliVredenburg where I can go to free lunchtime concerts. Last year, Ludovico Einaudi was my most popular composer on Spotify. I always turn this on when I’m working; it’s been shown that classical music helps you to study.’

Moved to tears?

‘I follow @simonsits by Isabel Klee from New York on Instagram. She gives a temporary home to unwanted dogs that can’t go to a shelter for medical or psychological reasons. Isabel shares details of these dogs’ lives, which helps them to be adopted. One of the dogs was Tiki, a small, neglected dog which gradually thrived in Isabel’s loving care. Tiki went viral, along with the slogan “Be brave like Tiki”. This story really moved me because it reminded me of my own three dogs. Animals with a problematic past, which can now enjoy life.’

Inspirational Utrechter?

‘Can I choose a group? I really admire all the volunteers in Utrecht. There are so many of them – the Volksbuurt museum alone has 75. They put their hearts into their work and we really depend on them. Our museum runs on voluntary work: in the 1970s, Wijk C locals protested against plans to demolish their neighbourhood. As ammunition, they collected photos and other material in their community centre, which later became the museum.’

The exhibition ‘Mijn plek in ons stadsie’ runs until 12 April 2026 in the Volksbuurt museum. It’s an exhibition of paintings, poems, tapestries etc., made by Utrecht locals and featuring their favourite locations in the city.

The exhibition ‘Zoete Tijden’ runs from 23 April 2026 in the Volksbuurt museum.