Staatsbosbeheer says it has nothing against the Herderstocht, but it does against parking. “A lot of people came and then the grassland was full of cars. Nature is under increasing pressure, that is in the news every day. We therefore think it is not appropriate to have cars parked here. We do not want the discussion about recreation that puts great pressure on nature,” says Kees van Son of Staatsbosbeheer.
The site manager has had other plans for the grassland for some time. “Primally, it is not a parking lot, but a nature reserve. We have been working for decades to transform it into an increasingly beautiful vegetation. That is already working very well. We are working on thinning it, mowing it and finishing the hay No fertilizer is applied and there is no drainage. We would prefer to expand the site even further. It is now a green grassland, but in the summer this is a flowery meadow.”
According to Staatsbosbeheer, parking has a negative effect on the soil. “Due to the weight of all those cars, you get compaction of the soil, which then settles in. Liquids could also leak from cars,” says Van Son.
The nature manager has also suggested an alternative location for parking. “I think there are other possibilities. There can be dozens of cars at our workshop further on and we have offered the organization to use them. Last summer there was also an event, the Wolfeest, and that went on as usual. That event was also possible. not use the grassland for parking.” The location of the work shed of Staatsbosbeheer is opposite the Balloohoeve.
Mulder believes that the organization of the Herderstocht has sufficiently investigated the alternatives. He has a hard mind that the Herderstocht on the Balloërveld will return. But the organization continues to look for an alternative location.