Limbaži Municipality discusses improving access and tourism infrastructure at Randu Meadows
Limbaži Municipality, the Nature Conservation Agency and the Latvian Fund for Nature have discussed access and tourism infrastructure issues at the Randu Meadows nature reserve as part of drafting a new management plan. Residents are invited to a planning meeting on October 7 in Salacgrīva.
On September 17, representatives of Limbaži Municipality, the Latvian Fund for Nature and the Nature Conservation Agency met to discuss access to the Randu Meadows nature reserve, management of the territory, and improvements to tourism infrastructure. The discussion is linked to the drafting of a new nature conservation management plan covering the period from 2028 to 2040.
Access difficulties
The Nature Conservation Agency, the largest land manager within the reserve, has long struggled to reach the areas it manages. One proposed solution is creating an access point in the northern part of the reserve near a car park, though this would need to be coordinated with the Latvian State Roads authority and included in the municipality's territorial plan, which is currently being developed.
Tourism infrastructure and local concerns
Municipal representatives emphasized the need to preserve opportunities for tourism development and to improve visitor infrastructure, particularly highlighting the need for sanitary facilities. At the same time, local residents' concerns about the impact of increased visitor flow on their daily peace must be taken into account.
Ģirts Vilciņš, first deputy chairman of the Limbaži Municipality council, said that following talks with the Nature Conservation Agency and the Latvian Fund for Nature, the municipality will submit its vision for the long-term development of Randu Meadows and the necessary tourism infrastructure, including boardwalks and rest areas. He noted the municipality will also take part in planning technical matters, and that it is important to assess the impact of proposed developments on natural values and possible risks already during the drafting of the management plan.
The new plan
Daina Bojāre, who heads the drafting of the management plan, presented its goals and the history of managing the territory. The previous plan dates back to 2005, while the new one will include detailed management recommendations for each part of the territory.
Landowners and local residents are to be involved in discussing the plan. A public meeting to launch the plan's drafting process will take place on October 7 at 15:00 in Salacgrīva, at Rīgas iela 10a.
