Joutsa proposes 17-square-kilometre Leivonmäki park expansion

Joutsa plans to propose to Finland’s Ministry of the Environment that Leivonmäki National Park be expanded by more than 17 square kilometres, Yle reports. The expansion would use state-owned land bordering the park.

The proposal has received support from several political parties in Joutsa. Seventeen municipal councillors have signed the initiative, including representatives of the Greens, the Centre Party, the Social Democrats and the National Coalition Party.

Joutsa Municipal Manager Harri Nissinen supports the plan and intends to propose that the municipal executive board approve it on Monday.

Expansion would make the park more unified

The initiative follows a proposal published earlier this year by a working group on natural forests, which identified possible new national parks and existing parks that could be expanded. Leivonmäki was included among the potential expansion sites.

“Leivonmäki National Park is quite small at the moment and divided into three parts. Visitor numbers are high, so the national park suffers from the large crowds,” Nissinen said.

The park currently covers 31 square kilometres and receives more than 30,000 visitors a year. The expansion would make it more unified.

Nissinen expects the proposal will not progress before the next parliamentary elections, but says it could be considered during the following parliamentary term. Parliament would make the final decision on the expansion.

Regional council supports the plan

The Central Finland Regional Council has also backed the proposal in a letter of support. It said the expansion would strengthen the growth of tourism and support local vitality and employment.

The council noted that the park is easily accessible because it is located near the Nelostie road.

The national park is also important to Joutsa because it brings tourism revenue, services and appeal to the municipality. In a survey conducted at a travel fair, the municipality asked what might encourage people to consider moving to the Joutsa region.

“The proximity of the national park is the biggest attraction for potential newcomers to our region,” Nissinen said.

Regular bus services have also been arranged from Jyväskylä to make the national park accessible to as many people as possible.