Keila-Joa Park to undergo thorough renovation 03.06

This week RMK will be commencing extensive maintenance works involving the trees in Keila-Joa Park; also, the Tammemäe stairs will be receiving a new look this year. In addition, new pavilions are planned to be built over the coming years, following the example of the destroyed historical pavilions, and the road network will be organised.
According to Kristjan Maasalu, Head of the Tallinn District of RMK’s Nature Management Department, the cutting and maintenance works will be carried out on more than 700 trees during the course of nature conservation works being performed on the left bank of the Keila-Joa Park river. “This is essential in order to preserve the historical look of the park and to ensure the safety of visitors,” Maasalu said.

From the beginning of June until the end of September, the crowns of 104 limes, ashes, maples, larches, elms, oaks, chestnuts and pines in the park will be attended to. A total of 617 trees that are either sick or damaged, which have grown into the crowns of big trees, or are standing along the steep river bank and obstructing the view, will be cut down.

All the cutting and maintenance works being carried out in the park are set forth in the action plan “Management Plan for the Left Bank of the Keila River in the Keila-Joa Manor Park for the Years 2012-2021” and are funded by the European Union through the Environmental Investment Centre. During the on-going works, RMK asks all visitors to adhere to the warning signs and carefully read the information boards near the entrances to the park.

The Keila-Joa Park will be undergoing several extensive development and renovation works in the coming years. Over the next two years, the stairs and paths of the park will be reconstructed and the ruins of Meremõisa manor conserved. The Tammemäe stairs will be the first to be worked on, with construction works set to start this summer under the project approved by the National Heritage Board. With the support of the Interreg project, two historical pavilions are planned to be restored.

RMK is also taking the first steps in organising the northernmost plot of land in the park, recently placed under the care of RMK. For the area formerly occupied by a fish farm, OÜ Lootusprojekt will prepare an annex to the Management Plan, containing an action plan for critical works.

RMK is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Republic of Estonia. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature conservation works. In addition, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and fosters nature awareness. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, the Tartu Tree Nursery, AS Eesti Metsataim and the Põlula Fish Farm. More than 700 people work for RMK; however, the total number of people employed in the state forest is 5000.

Further information:
Kristjan Maasalu
Head of the Tallinn District of the RMK Nature Management Department
Tel 5646 0209
kristjan.maasalu@rmk.ee