The Quiet Parks Initiative - Discovering Tranquility on Your Journeys
Unlike what some famous horror movies suggest, quiet destinations are about immersing yourself in a soothing atmosphere where you can relax amid the hustle of travel.
Exploring new and familiar locations brings excitement and adventure, but sometimes you just need a tranquil spot to catch your breath. You may have heard of dark sky parks—remote areas with minimal light pollution, perfect for stargazing.
But what about finding places free from artificial noise? It can be a challenge, even in seemingly remote areas. One individual has dedicated themselves to discovering and preserving these serene spots for everyone’s benefit.
Find refuge from the relentless noise and activity of human life in a tranquil park © Hero Images / Getty ImagesNoise pollution poses serious challenges for everyone
A 2017 study from Colorado State University reveals that noise pollution—stemming from factors like nearby highways, air traffic, logging, mining, and urban areas—is widespread throughout the United States, even in designated wilderness and protected regions. This is harmful to us, but even more detrimental to wildlife, which depends on environmental sounds for survival.
However, there is a glimmer of hope. Initiated by Gordon Hempton, author of 'One Square Inch of Silence,' and his organization Quiet Parks International (QPI), there is a movement aimed at preserving the few remaining areas where one can find relatively pure silence, enriched solely by nature's sounds. The goal is for travelers to seek these spots out, similar to their search for dark sky parks, allowing for a brief respite from human activity.
The Hoh Rain Forest in Washington's Olympic National Park served as the inspiration for theThe tranquility found in a Wilderness Quiet Park: only the melodies of nature
Most quiet parks are located far from the usual trails, yet many still face the threat of disruptive noise pollution. Take the secluded, enchanting Hoh Rain Forest on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, where Hempton first conducted his 'One Square Inch' experiment. It enjoyed years of relative silence until recent US Navy training flights began disturbing a section of the park. This shift, along with his inability to prevent it, prompted Hempton to establish Quiet Parks International, with hopes that a global initiative would prove more effective.
How many Wilderness Quiet Parks exist?
The inaugural official 'wilderness quiet park' certified by QPI is located along the Zabalo River in Ecuador. This area showcases 'a healthy balance of bioacoustic activity with... noise-free periods lasting several hours,' as stated on the organization's website. Even this description highlights the difficulty of discovering a location entirely free from human-made sounds.
QPI aims for quiet park designation to eventually serve as a tourism magnet, benefiting the local Indigenous Cofán tribe that owns the land. This first quiet park was later complemented by two more areas in the US in 2022 and 2023: Glacier National Park in Montana and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.
The world’s inaugural designated Wilderness Quiet Park is situated along a river close to the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in Ecuador © Marc Guitard / Getty ImagesProspective future Wilderness Quiet Parks
QPI has pinpointed several other potential wilderness quiet parks globally. Most of these locations are within protected natural areas with minimal artificial light sources, overlapping significantly with dark sky parks.
These areas are typically situated far from common flight routes and significant traffic noise, in regions where land use is unlikely to produce frequent disturbances, such as most agricultural and mining zones.
In the United States, potential new quiet parks encompass Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas, the American Prairie Reserve in Montana, and Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii.
In Europe, proposed quiet parks include Snowdonia National Park and the Brecon Beacons in Wales, Białowieża Forest in Poland, among other locations.
Numerous other potential sites exist worldwide, such as Namibia's Skeleton Coast, Garajonay National Park in the Canary Islands, Manu National Park in Peru, and the aptly named Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, India.
All these locations could become certified quiet parks if QPI's site assessments confirm they meet the necessary standards. The initiative is managed by volunteers and depends on donations; part of the certification will involve determining the exact level of quiet required.
Stockholm is at the forefront of designating tranquil urban spaces for its residents and visitors © SCC / Getty ImagesUrban Quiet Parks: a peaceful retreat within the city
While escaping artificial noise is best achieved in the wilderness, you may not need to venture far to experience natural silence. QPI is dedicated to creating and certifying urban quiet parks—designated areas in or around major cities that are free from noise pollution.
As of 2024, there are 10 urban quiet parks worldwide, ranging from Hampstead Heath in London, England, to Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei, Taiwan.
A pilot initiative in Stockholm, Sweden, has pinpointed 65 'calm places' throughout the city and nearby areas, along with 22 marked walks featuring the 'quiet trails' symbol. Visitors can find descriptions of these routes in brochures at tourist offices or online. All walks are conveniently accessible by metro, bus, bicycle, or on foot from the city center. Similar projects are underway in Taiwan, New York City, and Portland, Oregon.
There are also initiatives aimed at developing quiet communities, serene marine trails, hiking paths, and even tranquil hotels. This reflects a growing awareness of the importance of finding peace and quiet in our hectic lives.
Evaluation :
5/5