The Veerplas, also known as the PTT lake, is an artificial lake in the Veerpolder directly east of Haarlem that was constructed in 1994 for recreational purposes and is part of the Recreatiegebied Spaarnwoude.
It measures approx. 450 m from north to south and 400 m from west to east. On the south bank there is a purification marsh with a lot of reeds, a so-called helophyte filter. During the winter half year, large numbers of water birds, such as the greylag goose, the wigeon and the spectacled diver, can be found here and on the marshy east bank. Carps have also been released into the lake by the local angling club. On the west side of the lake there is a sandy beach about 300 m long. There is a shallow part of the lake for inexperienced swimmers. There are also sunbathing areas with toilet and shower facilities.
The lake is within walking distance of Haarlem Spaarnwoude station and is relatively close to the A9 and A200 motorways. This makes the site attractive as an event site. Since December 2006, Circus Herman Renz has been storing its tents here during the Christmas period for its annual Christmas circus.
"It is part of the photographer's job to look more intensely than most other people. It is the attitude of a child seeing the world for the first time or of a traveller visiting a foreign land."
Bill Brandt, English photographer (1904 - 1983)..
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