Forest Park

Horský Park is one of the most valuable natural and landscape elements of the capital city; it has an irreplaceable ecological value and performs an important recreational role.

In this unique area, there is a clash between its two most important functions - recreation and nature protection. How have we developed the Care Programme for the next 30 years to ensure that all the necessary functions of the forest park are taken care of?

The priority is the general protection of Horský Park in such a way that it can be used for protection of the environment and also for the recreation and education of visitors.

We are creating three different areas in Horský Park, each of which will primarily serve a different function.

Based on similar habitat types and different care needs, the functional areas will be divided into 5 ecological-functional areas (EFAs). Individual (EFAs) will have boundaries marked in the field.

A: A forest in natural areas

An area of 5.579 hectares where nature conservation is a priority. We are taking all the measures so that we carry out as little intervention as possible. The aim is to ensure the preservation of the old forest cover in order to achieve natural processes. Once the objectives have been achieved, the area will be placed in a no-intervention regime.

In the first phase, we mark the boundaries of this area. At the entrance we install information boards with text: "Caution, natural area with no-intervention regime, increased danger of falling branches and trees. Enter at your own risk." The measure will not prohibit access to the area, but visitors should be aware that there is a risk of falling branches, trees or parts of tree crowns in this zone, so please be careful. Fallen trees and wood will be left in place and will not be handled in any way.

To ensure operational safety, we are removing all minor architectural elements such as benches, children's play elements and rubbish bins from this area. Interventions in the vegetation will initially be related to the removal of invasive plants and trees. We plant only native species here, not introduced species, and we do not prune or cut down trees.

B: Transitional area forest (5.956 ha)

The main function of this ecological-functional space will be to create a kind of buffer zone between the no-intervention area and the recreational area. The aim will be to ensure preservation of the old forest cover in order to achieve natural processes.

All minor architectural elements will also be removed from this area, with the exception of the rubbish bins. Unlike EFA1, felling and pruning of dangerous trees will be feasible in exceptional cases to the minimum extent necessary, always in agreement with the State Nature Conservancy. Fallen wood will be moved within the zone as little as possible in the shortest possible time after it has fallen, and subsequently will be left to remain stationary.

Interventions in vegetation will be largely related to the removal of invasive plant species. Planting on the site will be allowed with only native species.

C1: Forest in the educational and recreational area (10.541 ha)

In addition to the preservation of the old forest cover in this ecological-functional area, which represents almost half of the area of Horský Park, the recreational and educational function comes to the fore. This means that the area will be managed under a special regime taking its recreational and educational use into account. Since this area is the one most frequently used by park visitors and their safety is the first priority, it will be possible to carry out safety felling of trees, trimming of branches and handling of fallen wood in this area.

It will also be possible to plant trees, herbs and install new minor architectural elements in agreement with the State Nature Conservancy. Fallen wood will be de-branched and relocated within the park if necessary. The aim of all the implemented measures will be to create appropriate conditions for the area to be fully used for educational and recreational functions.

C2: Meadow in the educational and recreational area (0.132 ha)

The main role of the area defined within EFA3 will be to secure the long-term management of grassland associations, taking recreational and educational functions into account.

The meadow will be managed under a special regime, i.e. we will mow it regularly, take the material away, and we will plant suitable herbs and, in agreement with the State Nature Conservancy, install minor architectural elements.

C3: Wetland in the educational and recreational area (0.411 ha)

This area defined within EFA3 will play a major role in preserving and enhancing the condition of the wetland. We want to secure the prolongation of its lifetime and take the recreational and educational function of the area into account.

We plan to create conditions to improve the environment for the amphibians found in Horský Park. In order to preserve the wetland, it is necessary to implement some technical measures in the form of enhancing the wetland.

There will also be places in Horský Park to support biodiversity (insects, amphibians, birds and various fungi and plant communities) as the movement of visitors among the dying trees, which are part of the life cycle of the forest, will be progressively prevented in parts of the protected area.

In the part of the protected area outside the "no-interference zone", the recreational function will be secured, taking into account the protection of nature based on the needs of the 4th level of protection. It is here that we will restore rest areas (restoration of the circular bench), green terraces, sports zones - fitness elements, children's benches, jogging path, walking zones (path over the wetland), we will also make available places for habitat demonstration. We will revitalise the furnishings (repair of sculptures, gazebo, replacement of benches, etc.) and create space for breeding amphibians as well as educational areas for introduced woody plants.