Europe invests in better distribution of recreation and modal shift for visits to Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide
Together with VisitBrabant as initiator and other partners, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide seeks the right balance between visitors and nature.
The vastness and tranquillity of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide have inspired hikers, cyclists, horse riders and artists for decades. In 1854, the very first train brought the first peace seekers to the heathland via the newly constructed Railway Line 12. This connection allowed our ancestors to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. Still today, thanks to its easy connection to the train and bicycle highway Antwerp-Roosendaal, the Grenspark fulfils the role of the largest quiet garden of the province of Antwerp. Yet a large number of visitors use the car to visit the park, causing parking pressure and nuisance for local residents. Thanks to the European subsidy programme Interreg, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, together with municipalities and partners, will be able to focus in the coming years on a modal shift and a (re)design of existing train stations and reception gates to better spread the recreational pressure.
Nature reserves face an increasing number and different types of recreationists and visitors. This has been reinforced by the corona pandemic, in which many people have rediscovered nature close to home. This growth in crowds brings damage to nature, reduced visitor experience and nuisance for local residents. Under the direction of VisitBrabant Routebureau, nature parks, knowledge institutions and regions from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany are working together to spread the recreational pressure better.
This project is part of the European project MONA, which promotes sustainable tourism in and around nature reserves in North-West Europe and studies visitor behaviour. The European grant programme Interreg is investing €3.6 million. With a combined investment of €2.4 million from all partners, a total of €6 million will be invested in spreading the recreational pressure in different nature reserves.
Sustainable course for tourism
With the project, Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, in cooperation with the four municipalities, aims to promote modal shift by encouraging soft mobility by (electric) bicycle, train and bus. The connection between existing bus and train stations in the region and the reception gates in the park can be improved by using shuttles or shared bicycles, for example. In addition, the project is committed to making the visitor experience from the station to nature more attractive, so that this 'last mile' is not a barrier but becomes part of the experience. Route directions and targeted communication on zoning steer visitors in the right direction. With this sustainable course, Grenspark aims to reduce the parking pressure around the vulnerable nature and the nuisance for local residents.
Research
An important part of the MONA project consists of monitoring, research and analysis. BUas (Breda University of Applied Sciences) and KU Leuven are connected as knowledge partners to collect data. It also measures whether measures taken have an effect. To this end, VisitBrabant is setting up monitoring into the use of routes and crowds in specific nature areas, at specific times. This information can be useful when considering whether to relocate or upgrade routes.
Sustainable and barrier-free tourism
Besides better connectivity and sustainable transport, the project also focuses on sustainable and barrier-free tourism. Better infrastructure and redesign of footpaths, reception gates,... should ensure a barrier-free visit. Routes of user groups (e.g. horse riders) can be further developed.
Partners in the project
Np Van Gogh, NP (NL), Utrechtse Heuvelrug (NL), NP Veluwezoom (NL), Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide (BE-NL), Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims (FR), Parc naturel Régional Scarpe Escaut (FR), KULeuven (BE), Breda University of Applied Sciences (NL), Polis (BE), Tourismus Zentrale Saarland (GE), VisitBrabant (NL), Toerisme Provincie Antwerpen (BE).
