Research Project New Roads in the Nature Park 'Åmosen'

In the research project “ New roads in Nature Park Åmosen”, researchers from Roskilde University will be examining the potential of nature parks to create regional economic development. “Naturpark Åmosen” has been selected due to the area’s highly unique cultural, natural, geological and landscape values. The project is inspired by citizens science and sustainability science and draws on sustainable entrepreneurship in order to develop the potential of the nature park. This means, among other things, that we, based on public participation processes, will examine and develop attractions and recreational facilitation, and make the natural and cultural heritage of the area accessible.

Today, much of the unique cultural heritage is not being communicated, and the project aims to create communication in the setting of the natural and cultural landscape by using e.g. citizen-run mapping methods. The project is meant to develop new trails and experiences in West Zealand based on, for instance, the area’s distinctive landscape characteristics. During that process, local citizens will be involved in the hope that cooperation between local communities, landowners and service providers will help develop West Zealand into a coherent area of recreational nature experiences to the benefit of the citizens, tourists and businesses in the area. The researchers will look into how local communities can help strengthen the value of the experiences. The project will develop a model for including both service and experience providers in the development of nature parks, one purpose of which is to examine whether it will strengthen the value of the experiences and the users’ appreciation of nature.

The project consists of five work packages:
1) Public participation, including econometric public participation
2) Mapping of experience values, citizen-run mapping methods
3) Location-based communication, attractions and experiences
4) Development of infrastructure and experience technologies
5) Service providers and development of new experience products

Facts about the project ‘New roads in Naturpark Åmosen’:
-The project began in April 2019, and the new infrastructure in “Naturpark Åmosen” will be ready in Spring 2022
- 50 kilometres of paths including ten experience routes with specific themes
- New bridges and launching points for canoes and kayaks
- The routes will pass by a number of beautiful landscapes and cultural-historical gems that tell 10,000 years of history
- The routes that traverse private areas must be planned in close cooperation with landowners, service providers and local communities. All agreements will made on a voluntary basis
- The routes will be placed so that they cross the coming “Ice Age route”, which will give guests on bicycle get an extra experience
- Shelters, campsites and other areas for staying overnight and shopping will be placed along the routes
- Special attention will be given to communication and involvement of enthusiasts, associations and local communities along the route

Facts about “Naturpark Åmosen”:
“Naturpark Åmosen” has been selected due to the area’s highly unique cultural, natural, geological and landscape values. The nature park forms a coherent ‘damp’ landscape corridor consisting of river valleys, lakes and marsh areas, spanning 45 kilometres through a hilly moraine landscape. Together, the two bogs and the connected lakes form the largest low-level bog in Denmark.