Saturday, September 12, 2015

Walking Through Arboretum Norr

In our constant quest for new trails to tread for our walking exercise, a place that we've almost forgotten came up: the Arboretum Norr. We've been here twice years ago, and now this remembrance suddenly takes me back to that time when I was fascinated seeing the rapids and the plants that I got to see for the first time.






Arboretum Norr is a park that stretches about a mile along the banks of the Umeälven (Umeriver) surrounding the Baggböle manor. It covers an area of about 20 acres hosting over 1,600 plants from about 280 species, mostly coming from Scandinavian countries and others from Asia.








This place was formed  in 1975 through a collaboration between Umeå University, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå and the City Council, with these three objectives:  1) to see which species thrive at far northerly latitudes, which may lead to a greater variety of climate-adapted shrubs and trees in Scandinavia;  2) to support the study of trees and shrubs, called Dendrology;  3) to provide tourist attraction near the village of Baggböle.

This park is currently run by a foundation and is funded by the contribution of several municipalities, companies and institutions. In 2014, the place became home to an art project led by three artists with the intention to link art with nature. The project received funding since Umeå was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2014.








A walk through this nature reserve is indeed refreshing and revitalizing, what with all the natural treasures that are ensphered herein. 

I enjoy listening to the musical gurgling of the rapids,










ascending the sets of wooden stairways among the towering trees,









walking along the trails by the rapids and not missing the lovely sceneries and any other objects of interest,










and passing by this field of barley basking in the afternoon summer sun.






Wouldn't you agree that this is a great place for strolling and healthful walking? (see also The Art of Healthful Walking)









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