Two men in the middle of a leafless mixed forest, on a path.
Project workers Ahti Teittinen (right) and Manne Pöllänen started the field work of the project at the beginning of April.

The multi-use routes of Saimaa's beaches are being improved and marked on maps

Release
28.4.2021 14:03
Routes following the beaches for cycling, walking and trail running are being developed. The routes will remain unbroken near the beaches, regardless of whether beach plots are created in the areas or not.

In the Ukonniemi multi-use route project, previously planned and mostly already in use routes will be implemented in the coastal area of ​​Saimaa stretching from Niskalammi to Lammassaari. The project secures the preservation of natural diversity and prevents the emergence of an uncontrolled trail network.

- We improve the routes in the terrain, we do clearings, leveling of paths and small-scale construction works when necessary. An important part of the work is to plan the routes in the terrain together with mountain bike enthusiasts, signpost them and describe the routes on the map, says the project's project manager Tiia Aromaa.

The selected routes end up in the Outdoor Active map service used by outdoor enthusiasts, which has more and more walking and cycling routes from Imatra.

The planning activities of the project also extend to Malonsaari, Mikonsaari and Haapasaari, where bridges or other waterway crossing solutions are planned.

- We are trying to get at least sketch-level plans for the bridges in the project. Exact plans are then required for implementation, city gardener Erika Luhtanen sort out.

Planning architect of the city of Imatra Kaija Maunulan according to Lempukka-Hosseinlahti, the landscape survey currently being prepared will also cover Malonsaari, Mikonsaari and Haapasaari. The survey will be used both for assessing the landscape effects of construction on the mainland and for adapting the recreational use of the islands, in practice the bridges connecting the islands, to the landscape.

- There are plenty of areas left for recreation and investment is being made in them despite the planning of the beach plots, Maunula assures.

The funding for the Ukonniemi multi-use route project has been granted by the Southeast Finland ELY Center. The financiers are the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the city of Imatra.

For more information: 

Project manager Tiia Aromaa, tiia. aromaatimatra.fi (tiia[dot]aromaa[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 040 526 0846

Planning architect Kaija Maunula, kaija. maunulaatimatra.fi (kaija[dot]maunula[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 4460

City gardener Erika Luhtanen, erika.luhtanenatimatra.fi (erika[dot]luhtanen[at]imatra[dot]fi), tel. 020 617 4704

    Ukonniemi multi-use route project

    Work steps

    • mapping of the initial situation using existing maps and field visits 
    • route planning based on starting data 
    • planning the guidance needs of the routes 
    • winter and summer maintenance planning 
    • implementation of the route on the terrain, marking, clearing work, construction work and marking of signs 
    • informing about completed routes
    • Possible routes: Lammassaari, Ukonniemi, Mustalampi, Karhukallio
    • Planned routes: Malonsaari, Mikonsaari, Haapasaari with bridges

    The implementation period is 01.01.2021 - 31.12.2021

    Costs

    The share of the city of Imatra is 37 euros

    EU and state funding 88 euros

    Total budget: 125 euros