Under the designation “animals and wilderness”, in the spring of 2009 the state government started a support programme for the Bavarian Forest National Park, with the aim of supplementing nature conservation and tourism.
The Bavarian Forest National Park and Šumava on the Bohemian side are densely populated with trees and original, and offer optimal habitats for many different types of animals, such as lynx, bears or bats. In many places there has been a re-emergence of genuine wilderness.
Each participating location selected its sponsor animal, possessing a special historical, cultural or geographical connection. Campaigns and events of the individual locations are meant to promote an understanding of the indigenous wild animals and the uniqueness of the landscapes. Visitors are to be filled with enthusiasm by it all. For instance, the town of Grafenau decided on bears because there is a bear on the town’s coat of arms. In Horská Kvilda (in German: Innergefild) on the Czech side, the timid Black Grouse was selected because a large population of them still dwell there today.
The municipality of Rinchnach adopted the bat as their sponsor animal as the area is home to five different species of bats. In addition, the bat is an exciting and mysterious creature. Therefore, a stipulation of the project was to develop a playground which establishes a connection to bats. As a result, the bat is brought closer to the children using thematic play areas. A bat educational trail was created which provides information to visitors on the different types native to the Bavarian Forest by means of information panels and folding panels. Pictures and detailed descriptions are used for this.
The bat educational trail is integrated into a playground with play and fitness equipment for children, adults and grandparents. The pathway of the playground, shaped like a bat, is also striking. The delightful bat accompanies visitors all over the playground. With respect to the play and fitness equipment, they decided on the experienced manufacturer Kompan, who was able to supply the entire range of desired play equipment and provided on-site advice.
Rinchnach and the other participating locations developed concepts allowing information on the indigenous animals to be provided in both an unobtrusive and yet interesting way. Whether it be by means of hikes, special exhibitions or presentations.
The Rinchnach Bat Forest Play Area with the educational trail was opened to the public in May 2011 and has since been overwhelmingly accepted by children and parents. Even older people, on six items of fitness equipment, have the chance to be part of it and keep fit at the same time in the fresh air of the Bavarian Forest. In the spring of 2012, the equipment was supplemented by four further items of play equipment for young children. There is even a bat sand pit! The forest play area and the educational trail are open to the public and entry is free of charge.
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