The Zagreb County Green Ring Public Institution received a Decision on the approval of grants in the amount of HRK 743,950 for the arrangement of an educational trail on Vrhovčak within the Stražnik Forest Park in Samobor. The funds were obtained from the Rural Development Program of the Republic of Croatia for the period 2014-2020, measure "Establishment and arrangement of educational trails, lookouts and other minor infrastructure". The purpose of the trail is to promote and use the recreational, health and tourist functions of the forest and the natural beauty of the landscape.
The project envisages the repair and arrangement of a part of the existing hiking trail, while maintaining the level of the trail and the construction of new facilities. The educational trail "Let's meet the forest" will be arranged on poles raised half a meter above the ground. Along the trail, there will be interpretive and educational boards, rest areas with benches, and a small outdoor educational center intended primarily for children and schools in nature. New plantations of domesticated species, aromatic plants and fruit trees will also be planted. The aim of this educational trail is to bring the world of nature closer to people, and to awaken awareness of the preservation of flora and fauna that surrounds us and makes it diverse, unique and beautiful.
Sunčani Stražnik is a mixed stand of sessile oak, cera, mountain maple and black pine. Black pine or Pinus nigra is a coniferous tree from the Pinaceae family. It grows up to 40 m in height. The crown is ovoid, and in old age on rocky ground it is broadly rounded or umbrella-shaped. The buds are 1-2 cm long, resinous, round in the vertebrae, covered with thin gray scales. The bark is thick, dark gray and furrowed. It is up to 10 cm thick. It blooms in May. The male flowers are yellowish, about 2 cm long and in groups, and the female flowers are solitary. It can tolerate the shade of nearby trees, although the offspring need plenty of light to develop. It repairs soil, withstands drought, heat and storm.
In the age of the crown, we have all become more aware of the importance of nature, the natural beauty that surrounds us and its preservation. We believe that the "Let's meet the forest" trail and another one, for which we are waiting for the results of the competition, will be a new place for recreation for Samobor residents and visitors to Samobor.