New Street Names in Segaar-Arsenaal Announced
The City Council has approved two new street names for the Segaar-Arsenaal neighborhood. The street names Mechelsestraat and Segaarlaan were chosen in response to numerous requests from residents and refer to the recent history of the new residential neighborhood to be built.
In the last century, most of the Segaar-Arsenaal development area was used by family-run vegetable-growing businesses. For example, the Mechelse brothers were active as vegetable growers from the beginning of the twentieth century. The Segaar family, among others, grew endive on a large scale, which was heavily advertised. These nurseries were one of the factors that gave this part of Voorschoten its agricultural character. The side street off Trompweg, which runs parallel to Griffioenlaan, was therefore named “Mechelsestraat.” The avenue off Mechelsestraat was named “Segaarlaan.”
Families in Voorschoten
With the closure of Intratuin in 2022, the last nursery operations on Leidseweg came to an end. But the Segaar and Mechelse families, just like the Griffioen family, left a positive mark on Voorschoten’s social, political, and business life for decades. Their companies were major employers, and the nursery operations played a defining role in the northern part of Voorschoten for many years.
DNA of Voorschoten
Last year, the municipality of Voorschoten signed a preliminary agreement with contractor Niersman for the construction of 100 homes and a green park in the new Segaar-Arsenaal residential neighborhood. Many residents contributed ideas for street names. Relatives and descendants of the Segaar and Mechelse families also submitted requests. Their proposals for street names honoring the nursery-owning families align well with the municipal council’s desire to continue promoting Voorschoten’s heritage. The Segaar and Mechelse family names serve as a meaningful tribute to both the local history of the new neighborhood and the history of Voorschoten.