Free Access To Lake Shores | Frontaliere Ticino
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Context
A protest walk for free access to the shores of Lake Lugano Last Saturday, a protest walk took place along the Shoreline Path, which connects Tenero-Contra to Minusio, to demand free access to the shores of Lake Lugano. The event, organized by the Young Greens and the 'Public Shores of Italian Switzerland' association, drew around a hundred people. The organizers are contesting the 2019 agreement that limits access to the shores during the summer months, when the area is reserved for tourists using campsites. According to data from the Ticino Cantonal Office of Statistics, in 2022 Lake Lugano welcomed over 1.2 million visitors, with a 15% increase compared to the previous year. However, the 2019 agreement stipulates that the lake's shores are reserved for tourists using campsites, with a cost of 20-30 CHF per person per night. This has resulted in reduced access to the shores for local residents and non-tourist visitors. > "The law is clear: the shores must be public domain and freely accessible", said Alice Zimmermann, municipal councilor of Tenero-Contra and organizer of the walk. The current regulations on access to the shores of Lake Lugano date back to 2009, when the Ticino Cantonal Council issued a directive establishing free access to the lake's shores. However, the 2019 agreement has effectively limited this access during the summer months. Here is an operational checklist of the organizers' demands: - Repeal of the 2019 agreement - Return to free access to the shores of Lake Lugano - Creation of rest and service areas for visitors - Collaboration between lakeside municipalities for shore management The municipality of Tenero-Contra, for example, has already implemented measures to ensure access to the lake's shores. The municipality has created a rest an...
Operational details
A protest walk for free access to the shores of Lake Lugano The 2019 agreement, signed between campsite operators and local authorities, stipulates that the shores of Lake Lugano are accessible to the public only during the winter months, from November to March. During the summer period, access is limited to tourists using campsites. The protest organizers argue that this limitation is illegal and that the shores should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the season. 'We don't want to take anything away from anyone, but simply give the population what belongs to them', explained Alice Zimmermann, organizer of the protest. The protesters believe that the limitation of access to the lake's shores is a violation of the right of access to public places and natural areas. The campsite operators, on the other hand, argue that the agreement is valid and that the limitation of access is necessary to ensure cleanliness and maintenance of the shores. 'It's like asking a private individual to open the doors of their home, their garden, all year round', said Simone Patelli, president of the Ticino campsite operators' association. According to data from the Ticino Cantonal Office of Statistics, in 2022 Lake Lugano welcomed over 1.3 million visitors, with a 15% increase compared to the previous year. The Ticino municipalities overlooking the lake, such as Lugano, Morcote, and Vezia, have seen a significant increase in summer tourism, with an estimated economic impact of over 10 million francs. However, the protest organizers argue that the limitation of access to the lake's shores has a negative impact on the local economy. 'If tourists can't access the lake's shores, they might choose to stay in other locations', explained Zimmermann. The 2019 agreement stipulates that ca...
Key points
The protest has collected over 1,000 signatures on a petition launched on the Campax platform. The organizers hope that public pressure can lead to a change in the policy of access to the shores of Lake Lugano. ## The current situation Currently, access to the shores of Lake Lugano is regulated by cantonal and municipal regulations. For example, in Lugano, the municipality has established that access to the shores is free, but with some restrictions. However, in other Ticino municipalities, such as Masserano and Riva San Vitale, access is limited and subject to specific authorizations. - The cantonal regulations on free access to the shores of lakes and rivers were introduced in 2018. - The law stipulates that owners of land bordering lakes and rivers must allow public access, but with some exceptions. ## Economic implications Restrictions on access to the shores can have economic implications for residents and visitors to Ticino. For example, an analysis conducted by local economists estimated that the limitation of access to the shores of Lake Lugano could result in a 10% reduction in tourist revenue in the region. > "Free access to the lake's shores is fundamental to the quality of life of residents and to the local economy" said a representative of the protest organizers. ## Operational checklist To better understand the economic implications of access to the shores of Lake Lugano, it is useful to consider the following points: - The length of the Lake Lugano coastline in Ticino is approximately 45 km. - The number of visitors to the lake is estimated to be over 1 million people per year. - The tourist revenue generated by the lake is estimated to be over 100 million francs per year. ## Comparison of scenarios A comparison of practical scenarios can help to b...