| Zuid-Kennemerland National Park | |
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| Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland | |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Dunes in Zuid-Kennemerland National Park |
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| Location | North Holland, Netherlands |
| Area | 38 km2 (15 sq mi) |
| Established | 1995 |
| Official website | |
Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland is a national park in the province Noord-Holland, the Netherlands, west of Haarlem, within the municipalities of Bloemendaal, Velsen and Zandvoort. It includes the southern portion of the region known as Kennemerland. The park was established in 1995.
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South Kennemerland is characterized by sand dunes. The park, about 38 square kilometres (15 sq mi) in size, also includes some estates, forests on the dune fringes, and coastal beaches. Most of the area in the dunes is used as a watershed for the city of Haarlem, but there is a small public swimming area open in the summer at a location called the Wed, on the road between Bloemendaal and Zandvoort. The train from Zandvoort to Amsterdam travels through the park.
The park is owned and managed collectively by Vereniging Natuurmonumenten (Natural Monuments Association), Staatsbosbeheer (State Forestry), NV PWN Waterleidingbedrijf Noord-Holland (Water Supply Company North Holland), IVN, Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland (Water Board Rijnland), and the surrounding municipalities and private owners.
The visitors centre is located in Overveen, called Duincentrum de Zandwaaier. The building is a former plant of Haarlem's water supply.
The dunes are rich in lime, allowing the growth of several plant species which are rare in the Netherlands. The inland dunes are covered with bacciferous shrubs attracting a variety of songbirds.
Over 100 different bird species have been observed.
Fallow Deer, Roe Deer, squirrel, West European Hedgehog, European Rabbit, Red Fox, among others.
Besides Highland cattle, Shetland pony, and Koniks, an experiment was started in spring 2007 by releasing a small number of Wisents. These European bison could be dangerous to people and therefore were released in an area not publicly accessible. The wisents may be observed from a purpose-built viewing platform.
Nearly 20 different butterfly species have been observed.
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