The “park” that is far more than a park
The establishment of Okstindan Nature and Culture Park will be the result of an effort that started in 2013. The immediate objective is, in the course of this winter, to establish the necessary organisation. It will work to ensure a positive development for Hemnes, based on the area’s natural and cultural resources.
“Many are misled by the term ‘park’ – this is not a tidy green park with fences. Rather it is a model for the development of the local community,” explains Project Manager Marit Valla. She points out that becoming an established park also signals a serious focus on quality.
“We have defined Okstindan Nature and Culture Park to cover all of Hemnes municipality. This means that the villages of Hemnesberget and Finneidfjord are just as important as the Okstindan mountain range. We have a wealth of people with great ideas, but have lacked a good coordinating body that gets everybody on the same team. The objective of the Park is to coordinate volunteer efforts, the efforts of the business community, and the contributions of municipal authorities, so as to maximise the environmental, cultural, economic and social benefits.”
Rich traditions
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Agriculture plays an important role in Hemnes, and will therefore be important for the Park as well.[/caption]“We need to be good stewards of the great resources that Hemnes municipality has, for our own sake as well as for the region as a whole. These resources include beautiful wilderness and recreational areas, thriving agricultural traditions that deserve preservation, a great cultural scene and a varied business community that includes venerable boatbuilding traditions.”
“Our aim is to generate pride and help residents thrive, increasing their awareness and knowledge about our area, and together ensure a positive development for the community of Hemnes. That means defining what our goals are, working as a community, and as a team finding good solutions to our challenges,” says Valla.
“With a shared strategy, it’s far easier to obtain funds for good development projects than if everybody were to seek funding for their own pet project. Having a clear path and a clear strategy, we can have far more impact. We hope that the sum of 1+1+1 can be 10! That would be of great benefit to us all.”
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The venerable boatbuilding traditions are a source of local pride in Hemnes.[/caption]“Okstindan is the natural highlight and will be a clear feature of Hemnes’ profile and brand building. It is visible from almost anywhere in our community, and there are many gateways to this mountain wilderness. In various ways, Okstindan has an impact on us all. Certainly it is a source of pride, a part of the landscape that creates a sense of belonging for so many of us,” adds Valla.
20 partners are signed up!
Already, 20 companies and clubs and association have signed a letter of agreement signalling their intention of partnership with the Okstindan Nature and Culture Park. These were invited to the Norwegian Parks Conference held in Hemnes in June, in which all established parks as well as park candidates participated. For now, Okstindan Nature and Culture Park has the status of a candidate.
In the months ahead, Okstindan’s prospective partners will be invited to meetings where they will work on the park concept.
“Let me underscore that those who have signed the letter of intent are not tied down to anything. Rather they are signalling an interest, that they wish to help develop the concept, to help define what our Park should be. We have to work together as a team – and this is very much a grass-roots effort. For all the parks established so far, the communities and the municipalities are important contributors.”
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The facility Sørfjelltunet in Bleikvasslia was recently awarded the St. Olav’s Rose, a seal of quality, by Norwegian Heritage. The photo shows the Old School, the traditional Sami turf hut (goahti), and the Children’s Nature Park.[/caption]When everyone involved has decided on a suitable model and a list of tasks for Okstindan Nature and Culture Park, then the municipal authorities in Hemnes will formally discuss the proposal.
“If the local politicians agree that the Park is worthwhile, then this very winter we’ll submit an application to have Okstindan Nature and Culture Park established as one of the Norwegian Parks. This will automatically make Okstindan a member of the European network Europarcs,” says Valla.
“In Europe there is a 70-year tradition of such parks. This is an enormous wealth of experience and knowledge upon which we can draw as we develop our national and international network.”
Okstindan
The Okstindan mountain range includes Oksskolten (1916 m), the highest peak in Northern Norway, and ten other peaks ranging in height from 1562 and 1901 metres. It also comprises Austre Okstindbreen, a glacier that has lasted since the most recent ice age. The popular and renowned Rabothytta cabin is perched at the edge of Vestisen glacier.
- An inclusive collaboration for local development, business development, cultural development, brand building and marketing.
The Park as a local and regional development model originated in Europe. The first such parks were established in Switzerland and France more than 60 years ago. In Norway, the parks have a shared forum through the Norwegian Parks Association (Norske Parker). - The Association’s definition of a regional park is: A dynamic, long-term and binding platform for local communities, authorities and businesses with an interest in safeguarding and developing the natural and cultural resources within a defined area that shares a common identity.
- The following such parks have been established so far: the Nærøyfjord World Heritage Park, Halden Canal Regional Park, Telemark Canal Regional Park, Valdres Nature and Culture Park, Finnskogen Nature and Culture Park, the Landscape Parks of Hordaland, the Sognefjord Coastal Park, and Vefsna Regional Park.
- Efforts to establish the Okstindan Nature and Culture Park began in the autumn of 2013. Since then, the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation, and Nordland County, have contributed nok 1.65 million to the development of their park concept.
- A group of 15 participants from throughout Hemnes Municipality formulated a Pilot Programme, which was approved by Norwegian Parks in December 2014, thus attaining the status as Park Candidate for Okstindan Nature and Culture Park.
- The group then submitted an application for a Main Project. This is the foundation of the current Coordinating Group, which consists of Chairman Svein-Erik Hjerpbakk (NCP), Inger-Lise Pettersen (Klemetspelet), Gry Fordelsen (Korgen Camping), Rolf Fjellestad (Assistant Councilman) and Håkon Økland (Senior Advisor to the Municipality of Hemnes).
Website: www.okstindan.net
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