Nearest city Haarlem Visitors 1.8 million (in 2008) Province North Holland | Established 1995 Area 38 km² Phone +31 23 541 1123 | |
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Location North Holland, Netherlands Address Zeeweg 12, 2051 EC Overveen, Netherlands Hours Open today · 8AM–6PMSunday8AM–6PMMonday8AM–6PMTuesday8AM–6PMWednesday8AM–6PMThursday8AM–6PMFriday8AM–6PMSaturday8AM–6PMSuggest an edit Profiles | ||
National Park Zuid-Kennemerland (Dutch: Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland) is a national park in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands and was established in 1995.
Contents
HistoryEdit
Dutch conservationist Jac. P. Thijsse first wrote about a possible national park between Bloemendaal and the North Sea Canal in 1944. As a result, the national park De Kennemerduinen was established in 1950.
The national park Zuid-Kennemerland was established in 1995. It comprised De Kennemerduinen, several nature reserves managed by Vereniging Natuurmonumenten and some other areas.
GeographyEdit
The park is situated west of Haarlem in the province of North Holland in the west of the Netherlands. It is located within the municipalities of Bloemendaal, Velsen, and Zandvoort. It includes the southern portion of the region known as Kennemerland.
South Kennemerland is characterized by sand dunes. The park, about 38 square kilometres (15 sq mi) in size, also includes some estates, forests on the dune fringes, and coastal beaches. The dunes used to be a watershed for the city of Haarlem. Large amounts have been won for consumption. In 2003 these activities were ceased allowing the groundwater-bubble to grow again. There is a small public swimming area open in the summer at a location called the Wed on the road between Bloemendaal and Zandvoort. The train from Zandvoort to Amsterdam travels through the park.
ManagementEdit
The park is owned and managed collectively by Vereniging Natuurmonumenten (Natural Monuments Association), Staatsbosbeheer (State Forestry), PWN (Water Supply Company North Holland), Province of Noord-Holland , IVN, and the surrounding municipalities and private owners.
VisitorsEdit
In 2008, the park had 1.8 million visitors.
The visitors centre is located in at Zeeweg 12 in Overveen, called De Kennemerduinen, next to parking Koevlak.
FloraEdit
The dunes are rich in lime, allowing the growth of several plant species which are rare in the Netherlands. The inland dunes are covered with bacciferous shrubs attracting a variety of songbirds.
About 800 different plant species that grow in the dune area of South Kennemerland are displayed in Thijsse's Hof (Garden of Thijsse), in Bloemendaal. This wildlife garden was founded in 1925 and is the oldest in the Netherlands.
FaunaEdit
Over 100 bird species have been observed.
The mammals fallow deer, roe deer, squirrel, West European hedgehog, European rabbit, red fox live in the park.
Besides Highland cattle, Shetland pony, and Koniks, an experiment was started in spring 2007 by releasing a small number of wisents. These European bison could be dangerous to people and therefore were released in an area not publicly accessible. The wisents may be observed from a purpose-built viewing platform, a walking path (closed between 1 March and 1 September and during excursions)
Nearly 20 butterfly species have been observed.