Vandals destroy parking signs at Sipoonkorpi National Park

Parking signs have repeatedly been damaged at Sipoonkorpi National Park in southern Finland, where some parking areas became subject to fees at the start of September, Yle reported. Metsähallitus has filed a police report over the vandalism.

Signs indicating paid parking have been knocked down, defaced and unscrewed during the past week, according to Elias Haapakorva, director of customer relations at Metsähallitus’ nature services.

Some parking areas at the national park, which is located in Sipoo, Vantaa and Helsinki, began charging fees in early September. Haapakorva said the revenue is intended to help cover the costs of parking areas, roads and hiking services as funding from the state budget has decreased.

Instead, money is now having to be spent on security guards and camera surveillance, he said.

New paid parking signs will be installed next week at the Kalkkiuunintie and Tasakallio parking areas. Until then, parking fees will not be enforced because there are no signs indicating that parking is paid. Visitors may still choose to pay the fee, Haapakorva said.

A paid parking trial also began in early September at selected parking areas in Koli National Park in North Karelia, as well as in Riisitunturi National Park, Urho Kekkonen National Park and the Korouoma protected area in Lapland. The trial will continue until next spring. Metsähallitus said no vandalism has been reported at the other locations.