The nature and recreation area Middelpolder is a part of the North Holland and the green area of the Amstelland. The landscape is open, but nevertheless cosy as if nothing has changed here since the Golden Ages.

When looking over the polder you will see the small forest of Wester Amstel. Still a bit further you can see the buildings of the Amsterdam Zuidoost (Southeast) area.

The polder is a silent area containing a lot of birds flying around in the meadows. One part of the Middelpolder has been improved a couple of years ago. During the implementation new bicycle, hiking and horse riding paths, ponds as well as nature friendly banks were created.

Things to do in the Middelpolder

In the public area you can go cycling, hiking, fishing and horse riding, with a huge network of walking alleys. The pastures are accessible by means of grass paths and swing gates, offering the possibility to walk straight through them. In that area you will also find frog ponds and marsh areas.

There are also spots where you can lay down or have a nice picnic. The tour along the Amstel is recommended due to picturesque aspects, but do also not forget to seek out the Bankrasweg and the Amsteldijk to experience a very nice view over the Middelpolder.

History

In the area of the Nieuwer Amstel the natural drainage had been more difficult than expected. Around 1630 the decision was made to create a new polder, among others the Middelpolder, situated between the Bovenkerkerpolder and the inner Buitenveldertse polder.

The name Middelpolder could be derived from its position: It is the middle of the three polders. In former days there also had been a village called Middeldorp. The construction of a polder also meant building of mills, sluices and digging of water channels.

For each polder a governing board was appointed. The board of directors consisted of four polder masters and one city resident. The polder governing board ensured the development and the conservation of the polder.

Around 1640 two windmills were built, one in Tulpenburg and the other one at the present Bankraspad.

Within the Middelpolder lay a lake, which first was called Banckenmeer, then Bankrasmeer and later on it became the Pancrasmeer. Another lake within the border of the Middelpolder was De Braak, near the Amsterdamse weg in the North West angle, which nowadays contains a very nice park.