Tourism and Recreation
Forms of recreation
The most important factors for recreation in the Amsterdam Water
Supply Dunes are quietness and space. Together with enjoying scenery
these factors contribute highly to people’s well being. The aim
of the recreation management is to keep these factors in tact.
The dunes are only accessible by foot and dogs or other pets are
not allowed. To enter the dunes a small fee has to be paid. There
are several walking paths through the dunes but people are also
allowed to wander off the paths. To maintain the quality of experience,
as few fences as possible are placed. The total walking area is
2900 ha. There is a small area (500 ha) that is not accessible
because of trampling, disturbance and fragmentation of nature
and water quality guarantee (see: Map Entrance
Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes).
Bicycling is not allowed in the dune area, but there are bicycle
paths along the dune fringe and along the fore dunes, with a total
length of 11 kilometres. Cycling is not allowed because it can
disturb the flora and fauna and because the bicycle paths would
cause fragmentation of the area.
There are a total of 12 kilometres of horse-riding tracks in
the dunes, but only a restricted number of horse-riders have access.
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes are also frequently used for
jogging.
Within the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes there is an airstrip
for gliders (35 ha).
Birdwatchers are welcome to a hide on the bank of the Oranjekom
canal from where they can enjoy bird watching without disturbing
the birds or cause any damage.
Recreation research
Since 1998 recreation research is taking place in the Amsterdam
Water Supply Dunes. The number of visitors that enter the dunes
are counted and opinion poles have been handed out to get insight
into the origin of the visitors, the recreational use of the dunes,
and the motivation of their visit. Each year about 800.000 visitors
are received in the dunes. It is not expected that this number
will grow significantly in the next 10 years.
The research shows that most of the visitors (90%) have a local
(or regional) origin and a large part of them visits the dunes
regularly.
A large part of the visitors comes to the Amsterdam Water Supply
Dunes for nature related recreation (walking) and there is also
a significant group of joggers who use the area. The most important
reason for visiting the dunes is to get away from every day life
and enjoy nature.
Most people use the car to reach the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes;
only a small group uses the bicycle.
The research also shows that the visitors are generally satisfied
about the accessibility, safety, maintenance and education of
the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes. The quality of the facilities
and of the landscape is also highly rated.
The factor hindrance was also studied. The visitors do not seem
to find hindrance from crowded walking paths, freely running sheep
and cows or service traffic, only walkers and joggers hinder each
other sometimes.
The result of the research study shows that the Amsterdam Water
Supply Dunes form a stable function for a large group of users,
who are mostly positive about the quality and the management of
the area. The actual recreational function of the area is and
will continue to be a place for nature recreation in a densely
populated area. No major problems were observed that require a
change in management.
Management plan
In the management plan of 1990-2000 of the Amsterdam Water Supply
Dunes it is stated that the management of recreation should aim
to maintain the sense of ‘nature, quietness and space’. Several
steps of action were formulated:
- The infrastructure will be renovated and brick-paved roads
will replace asphalt.
- The dunes are accessible for walkers and horse-riders through
a card system.
- Cycling is not allowed in the dunes.
- Group sports are allowed but on a smaller scale.
- Education and information are important tools for escorting
the visitors and the visitor centre ‘De Oranjekom’ will play
an important role.
The results of this policy until now are:
- A total of 10 kilometres of paths has been brick-paved and
the rest of the paths will be renovated in the near future.
- Entering the dunes is only allowed with a valid ticket, except
for the Zuidduinen. There are several sorts of tickets: tickets
for a one-day visit, month cards, a personal year card or a
60+ card. Since 1998 there are also cards that, together with
a year card or membership card, give access to most nature areas
or reserves in the province North Holland.
- Because bicycling is not allowed, the quietness can be maintained
in large part of the dunes. Walkers tend to stay near the entrances,
while bicyclists can cross the whole dune area in less time.
- Jogging and other group sports are allowed in the dunes,
but there are talks on a regular base between the dune managers
and the sport groups to make agreements about the scale and
timing.
- There are several ways in which the visitors are educated
and informed about the management and use of the Amsterdam Water
Supply Dunes. The visitors centre ‘De Oranjekom’ provides year-round
expositions about nature conservation and water extraction and
variable expositions about many subjects. For the near future
there are plans to build a new visitors centre. For schools
and other visitors it is possible to make an excursion through
the dunes guided by a dune manager. At the main entrances information
boards are present, with information about the dunes and locally
about the current activities. Since 1993 there is a newsletter
called ‘Struinen’ available for people owning a year card.
Result
The Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes are important for nature related
recreation in a highly urbanised area. Enjoying scenery, quietness
and space contribute highly to people’s well being.
In the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes water abstraction and nature
management are the two most important functions. Recreation is
a good means for consciousness raising of the importance of good
nature and water management.
Future research will be focused on the ecological vulnerability
of the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes and on potential conflicts
between different forms of recreation.
References:
- Bakker J. G. & Lengkeek J. (1999) Monitoringsonderzoek
recreatie Amsterdamse waterleidingduinen deel II: Onderzoek
naar beleving, recreatiegedrag en routepatronen van de bezoekers
in 1998-1999, nota 78; Wageningen Universiteit en Researchcentrum,
Vakgroep Ruimtelijke Planvorming en Grontmij Flevoland. (33R4A1DR1999)
- Cousin E. & Swart B. (1997) Recreation in the Amsterdam
Waterwork Dunes (AWD): partner with nature; in: (ed) Drees J.M:
Coastal Dunes: recreation and planning; proceedings of European
Seminar held in Castricum, nov 1-4 1995. (DR97)
- Gemeentewaterleiding Amsterdam (intern) (2000) CONCEPT: Terug
in de toekomst, Beheer van de Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen
2000-2010. (33R4A1)
