The White Falcon - 16.04.1999, Side 6

The Reykjavik Botanic Garden, located near the Family Park and Farmyard Animal Zoo, is an oasis within Iceland’s capital city.
The garden contains more than 3,000 species of plants, a greenhouse, and sculptures by Icelandic artists.
Making Tracks to Reykavik’s Botanic Garden
Story and photo by Karin W. Tramm
Where: Reykjavik Botanic Garden
Getting There: Take Highway 41, then
40 to Reykjavik. Turn right at the Kringlan
Mall intersection onto Miklabraut. Turn left
at the second light onto Grensasvegur.
Grensasvegur turns into Engjavegur when
you cross Sudurlandsbraut. Follow
Engjavegur into the park and into the parking
lot. The Botanic Garden shares the same
parking area as the Family Park and
Farmyard Animal Zoo.
flowering plants that enjoy a short growing
season. Upon entering the main gate, the
arboretum will be to your left. Various tree
and shrub species are planted here each year
to establish which ones can withstand the
harsh growing conditions found in Iceland.
In the middle of the arboretum is a small
pond alive with water fowl.
Fountains and statues are found along the
walking trails that meander through the gar-
den. In the center of the garden, near the
main entrance, is a work called Fyssa, by
artist Run. Another work called Skopun,
meaning “creation,” by the sculptor Helgi
Glslason is nearby. A relief of Eirfkur
Hjartarson is also located in the garden.
Hjartarson owned the area and began plant-
ing trees there in 1929.
Follow the path to the greenhouse located
on the eastern side of the garden. Opened in
1990, the greenhouse contains over 100
species of plants that cannot survive unpro-
tected during the Icelandic winter. The
greenhouse is open year round and is a good
place to stop for a picnic lunch. During the
summer, guests may purchase coffee, tea and
snacks to eat while enjoying the greenery.
Near the greenhouse is a pavilion that was
built in 1930 and moved to the garden in
1980. It has tables and chairs inside as well
as outside for anyone wanting to picnic there.
Icelandic flora and perennial plants are
grown in beds nearby. The plants are
arranged in families and marked with a tag to
indicate the name of the species and the
growing range. Many of the plants grown
here and in the nursery are transferred to
other sites around Reykjavik.
Also located in Laugardalur are the Family
Park and Farmyard Animal Zoo, the sports
stadium, the swimming pool and the new
skating rink. Also interesting are the hot
springs where people in Reyjavfk used to
wash their clothes. Part of an original struc-
ture is still there and houses historical infor-
mation and old photographs of the area as it
was. A sculpture of a woman washing her
clothes, by Asmunder Sveinsson, has been
placed nearby.
The Reykjavik Botanic Garden is an oasis
within the city. Enjoy a picnic or a pleasant
stroll anytime of the day, and see Mother
Nature’s home in the heart of Iceland’s capi-
tal city.
The Reykjavik Botanic Garden was found-
ed on Aug. 18, 1961 to commemorate the
175th anniversary of Reykjavik’s municipal
charter. Located in the Laugardalur area, the
garden covers more than six acres, and con-
tains more than 3,500 species of trees, flow-
ers and other plants. Included are plants of
Icelandic origin as well as thousands of for-
eign plants.
Admission to the garden is free. You can
visit any time of the year, but summer pro-
vides the best opportunity to view the many
Protecting yourself
Submitted by Navy Security
Your home is secure and it’s time to go on leave. It’s important to
remember that tourists make tempting targets for thieves. Often lost
or distracted, weighed down with baggage, and carrying cameras,
plane tickets, money and other valuables, unsuspecting travelers can
attract crime like a magnet.
Here are some tips to help keep you and your valuables safe while
traveling:
• Don’t display expensive jewelry, cameras, passports and other
items that might draw attention to yourself.
• Check maps before you go out so you can tour confidently.
• Stick to well-lit, well-traveled streets at all times. Avoid short-
cuts through wooded areas, parking lots or alleys.
• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put
Page 6
while away on leave
a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Try to use ATM machines during the day only.
• Always lock your car when it’s parked, even if it’s a brief stop,
and keep your valuables out of clear sight.
• If you think someone is following you, step into a nearby store,
restaurant, or a well-lighted area. If you are scared, yell for help.
It’s also important to take certain precautions to protect your home
while you’re away. For a small amount of time and money you can
make your home more secure and reduce the risk of being a victim.
Most burglars will spend no longer than 60 seconds trying to break
into a home. Therefore, good locks and watchful neighbors can make
good deterrents to potential thieves.
Make certain every door and window has a good lock on it. Also,
instead of hiding a key somewhere outside your home, give it to a
neighbor you can trust. Taking these simple precautions can help
make sure you return safe from leave with all your belongings intact.
The White Falcon April 16,1999