Chrudim can build a skatepark, there are no protected hamsters in the area

Chrudim - The town of Chrudim may build a skatepark on the left bank of the Chrudimka River in the future. Information that a protected field hamster lives in the area has not been confirmed. The survey of its presence lasted from spring to summer, said mayor František Pilný (ANO) to ČTK. The skatepark is to be located along the cycle path between the left bank of the Chrudimka and the roundabout near Tesko.

There were seven earth burrows in the area, but they were likely no longer inhabited. Experts set traps around the area that catch the animal without harming it. They also scattered so-called sand beds around that capture animal tracks.

The hamster has not appeared for several months; experts only caught one eastern hedgehog. If the hamster had lived in the area, the town would have been obligated to capture it and relocate it to another suitable place.

The skatepark will be in a floodplain area, so Chrudim had to obtain permission from the environmental department and the Elbe River Basin Authority. The sports facility will cover an area of 1,500 square meters. The ramps and riding surfaces will be made of concrete. The obstacles will be connected into sections, with their difficulty progressively increasing.

The new sports facility will replace an older skatepark located next to the summer swimming pool near the winter stadium. In the freed space, the town will partly construct a road and partly a parking lot.