Schwerin/Prerow (dpa/mv) – The campsite on the wide northern beach of the Baltic Sea resort of Prerow, which is very popular with campers, is to be reduced in size to protect nature and will also be operated ecologically in the future. “A concept is expected that is exemplary in every respect. In addition to the combination of tourism and nature conservation goals, climate-neutral construction and energy supply also play a role,” emphasized Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) on Thursday in Schwerin.
Since last year, the state-owned Foundation for the Environment and Nature Conservation has owned a large part of the dune area in the Western Pomerania National Park, which was formerly federal property. The responsible national park office has now published an announcement with criteria for future operation. Applicants can therefore express their interest until March 10th, and then submit their selected concepts.
Backhaus explained that the aim is to ensure high-quality camping operations with a long-term lease that take into account the protection goals in the national park, are family-friendly and economically stable. Since 1991, the campsite on the Darß peninsula in the Baltic Sea has been operated by the Rainbow AG, which is listed in Frankfurt/Main.
The number of parking spaces had been reduced from 1,200 to around 1,000 at the beginning of the year and is expected to drop to almost 800 by 2033. Instead of the previous 20, almost 18 hectares of the leased area should then be usable for camping. So far, almost 10 hectares have been used for mobile homes and cars.
The change was felt as the first permanent campers who had to break up their tents at the end of 2022. As a spokesman for the national park office said, the dismantling serves to protect the dune landscape. In the summer, more stringent attention will be paid to ensuring that no more tents are set up there. The beach will remain open to the public in the future, and the coastal forest can be reached via the existing paths, Backhaus assured.