The Gasselterveld recreation area near Gasselte will become more accessible for walkers, cyclists and motorists. The province of Drenthe is investing almost three hundred thousand euros in improving the paths and roads towards the area. The municipality of Aa en Hunze will implement the plans.
The current asphalt and cycle path along the Bosweg will be replaced by a concrete path that is suitable for both walkers and cyclists. There will also be safer crossing points and the entrance from the N34 for cars will be improved.
Deputy Henk Brink (VVD) hopes that the measures will ensure that people walk or cycle to swimming lakes ‘t Gasselterveld and ‘t Nije Hemelriek more often. A few years ago, on hot summer days, the access roads were crowded with cars. This created major parking problems.
To solve these problems, paid parking was introduced during the summer months last year and there is more supervision during peak times. Last summer, the traffic problems in the recreation area were a lot less than in previous years. The new traffic measures should be ready before this summer.
In addition to the traffic problems, owner Staatsbosbeheer had to deal with a waste problem around the swimming lakes. To solve that, there was a pop-up restaurant for the first time last year, the owner of which was held responsible for keeping the beaches clean.
According to deputy Brink, there will probably be the same kiosk again next year. In time, a definitive pavilion should be built, but according to deputy Brink, there is no prospect of that yet.