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Abstract |
We conducted a recreation study in the Jufferswaard, a 31 ha floodplain in the municipality of Renkum with 30.000 inhabitants in the Netherlands. In this Natura 2000 area with recreation we counted the use, conducted a stakeholder analysis, qualitative interviews and an users survey. In contrast to the amount of nature data, there was no recreation data for this area. The Pilogroep, a group of active citizens in the municipality, asked us for this data.In the period 2018-2019 we counted the amount of recreational visits for one year with passive infra-red (PIR) sensors at the four entrances. We used LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) technique: a telecommunications network that allows data to be sent to and from wireless sensors over a long distance gateway. On eight days, we counted the amount of visitors manually to check the PIR-data. The accuracy of the PIR-sensors was 75%. There are 55,000 visits a year, mainly from residents of the neighbouring villages of Renkum and Heelsum. On average there are 150 visits per day, mainly between 12.00 and 14.00. Sundays are by far the busiest days. The stakeholder analysis looked at what wishes were involved about management and maintenance and how much influence the various stakeholders have. According to the Pilogroep, the accessibility of the walking paths could be improved in the area. They also have wishes for the preservation of cultural history in the area. These wishes are not directly shared by the owner of the Jufferswaard: Federal Forest Service Staatsbosbeheer. They maintain the area soberly. The wishes for the area were explained on the basis of nature images consisting of different management. The Pilogroep has a more functional nature image and Staatsbosbeheer a more wilderness nature image, although the Natura 2000 status does not necessarily require a wilderness nature image. The influence of the Pilogroep is limited in contrast to Staatsbosbeheer as an owner. But citizens involvement is important to Staatsbosbeheer. |
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