July 2023 Issue of the Sea Environment to the Future-Marine Park

　Yokohama with sea, port, greenery, history, region, people and various attractions. We will deliver the color of this city as "Yokohama Aya Discovery". This time, I would like to talk about Marine Park in Kanazawa Ward on the third Monday of July.

Last Updated August 1, 2023

Please see the link for the contents of "Public Information Yokohama" July 2023 issue "Yokohama Aya Discovery".

Marine Park for the Future

Mr. Hitoshi Miyaguchi, Director of Marine Park

Full view of Marine Park

　There are a wide variety of parks, large and small, about 2,700 large and small, but Marine Park (outside site) has a vast sandy beach and is the only park where you can experience the sea such as clamming, swimming, and beach sports. Since the opening of the park in 1988 (Showa 63), it has been used by many citizens, especially during Golden Week, it is crowded with tens of thousands of clam hunters a day. Why was such a Marine Park born in Kanazawa? Why do many people gather in clamming? In addition, what kind of approach are you promoting in the park to protect the precious sea environment? There seems to be a hint here to pass on the rich sea of Yokohama to the next generation.

Until Marine Park is established

"Stern's return,"
Hiroshige Utagawa "Oto stern return sail" Kanagawa Prefectural Kanazawabunko Collection

　Many of the beaches in Yokohama were lost during the period of high economic growth due to landfills for industrial and logistics, and in the late 1940s only south of Tomioka, Kanazawa Ward. The coastline of this area before Marine Park was located has a landscape of white sand and blue pine, as seen in one of the eight scenic views of Kanazawa drawn by Hiroshige Utagawa, `` Return of Otostern '' It was shallow and the waves were quiet, so it was crowded with people who enjoyed swimming and clamming.
　Under these circumstances, Marine Park was positioned as a park in the Kanazawa Landfill Project, which was decided as one of the six major businesses of the city in 1968 (Showa 43). Taking advantage of the history and characteristics of Kanazawa, with the aim of creating a park that could become a symbol of Yokohama, only artificial sandy beaches opened in 1980 (Showa 55) and officially opened in 1988 (Showa 63). Marine Park was born to restore the beach of Yokohama, which was familiar to the citizens, and leave it in the future.

Follow the rules and enjoy clamming

Clamming near the opening of the park
Clamming shortly after opening the park

　At Marine Park, clamming can be performed free of charge, so it has been popular with many people since its opening. In particular, the best clamming days during Golden Week are visited by the most people throughout the year. Immediately after the opening of the park in 1988 (Showa 63), there were sights filled with people so that there was no room for standing on the beach.
　The main target of everyone who enjoys clamming is clams. The clams in Marine Park are naturally breeding, so the amount generated varies from year to year. In order to maintain an environment where clams can be enjoyed forever and clams, Marine Park works to comply with certain rules set by the prefecture so that each person who enjoys does not "great too much". This is also why specialized security guards calling for thorough rules on site visit.
Rules for clamming
(1)It is not possible to use shelling equipment with a width of 15 cm. (Joren and Ninja rakes cannot be used even if they are less than 15 cm wide. Specifically, please confirm in prefecture homepage (outside site). )
(2)It is not possible to collect larvae less than 2 cm.
(3)The amount of shellfish that one person can get at a time is less than 2kg.

Beach sports and marine sports

Windsurfing

　Marine Park is also characterized by a variety of sports experiences using sandy beaches and sea areas. There are six beach volleyball fields on the beach and a beach sports plaza where beach soccer can be played, and you can use it freely except during the tournament. In summer, we hold a beach sports festival “Beach Sports Festa” every year to further spread it.
　In the sea area, you can enjoy marine sports such as windsurfing, SUP (stand-up paddle board), sea kayaking (you cannot enter the swimming area during the beach opening period). On the beach side, there is a paid board storage facility called Windsurfing Boathouse, which enhances the convenience of users. The shallow, calm waves, and beginners-friendly sea is waiting for you to visit.

Thinking about the environment of the sea

Parent-child course
Parent-Child Lectures Considering the Environment of the Sea

　Unfortunately, the impact of changes in the marine environment due to global warming issues such as rising seawater temperatures and climate change, and the increase in plastic waste has been confirmed at Marine Park. Seaside environment changes have occurred, such as some fish in the South Sea, which did not inhabit in the past, the amount of clams is decreasing, and a large amount of Aosa (seaweed) drifting ashore. On the other hand, it has the effect of water purification and carbon dioxide absorption, and citizen activities such as efforts to promote the breeding of creatures and increase the eelgrass field, also known as the `` cradle of the sea, '' and beach clean to maintain beautiful sandy beaches, are also active. I am.
　In addition, Marine Park is promoting a variety of initiatives related to the sea environment, such as holding “Parent and Child Lectures on the Environment of the Sea” and conducting surveys on underwater images using underwater drones. Marine Park, where citizens can experience the sea directly, is a valuable place not only to enjoy it, but also to think and practice these environmental issues in the sea.

Marine Park sandy beach

　Marine Park, a city park, conducts thorough daily management and implements environmentally friendly initiatives. I hope to pass on the irreplaceable rich and beautiful sea of Yokohama to the future together with everyone who cares about the sea.

[Reception end] Reader present

Marine Park's Special Eco Bag

　The application has been closed and prizes have been sent to the winners on Tuesday, August 1st. Thank you very much for your application.
　Thank you for always seeing "Public Information Yokohama" and "Yokohama Aya Discovery". We will present a Marine Park special eco bag to 5 people by lottery from those who have received their impressions. If you wish, please refer to the following six items. ※Please specify and apply by postcard (to Yokohama City Hall Policy Bureau Public Relations Section, 6-50-10 Honcho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231-0005) or e-mail (sss-saihakken@city.yokohama.jp). The deadline must arrive on Monday, July 31, 2023.
※　1.Postal code, 2. Address, 3. Name, 4. Impression, 5. I would like to read, 6. "I wish to present the July issue"
　The winner's announcement will be returned by sending the prize. Please let me know the color of the eco bag. In addition, the personal information you receive will not be used for any purpose other than sending prizes.
Reader present Contact: Yokohama City Hall Policy Bureau Public Relations Section TEL: 045‐671-2331 FAX： 045‐661-2351

Inquiries to this page

Marine Park Management Center

Telephone: 045-701-3450

Fax: 045-701-3334

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