Residents of the Drentsche Aa National Park are very satisfied with living and recreating in the area. The communication about the nature reserve is also satisfactory. However, there is room for improvement on all these points.
This is evident from resident research by Trendbureau Drenthe, commissioned by the National Park.
Residents of the nature reserve answered a questionnaire focused on three themes. These focused on use, opinion and communication about the National Park. It shows that residents often visited the area, especially for activities such as walking and cycling. They appreciate the beauty and history of the area.
It should be noted that residents have seen the crowds increase, while they believe enforcement could be better. Examples are stray dogs and bicycles or cars on walking and sand paths. Drones are also experiencing nuisance.
Other criticism concerns resident involvement. They would like more say in the management of the park. Another voice that is reflected in the research results is the desire for more information about nature, walking and cycling routes, and local products. A similar study in 2010 also showed that residents want to know more about walking and cycling options in the area.
