Family garden Raggagardur in Súðavík Iceland

FAMILY RECREATION PARK WESTFJORDS
SÚÐAVÍK
Opened 6. August 2005

Establishment of the park

The founder of the park is Vilborg Arnarsdóttir (Bogga), a Súðavík mother of 4. She is the managing director of the Raggagarður committee. For a long time she nurtured the idea of creating an area which would provide a variety of recreational activities for families in the North Westfjords and tourists alike.

After introducing her idea to the locals it became clear that there was much interest in the project. A committee of local enthusiasts was formed, the Raggarður committee. The next task was to find a suitable location for the park.


Location

The park is located on a plot above Túngata on the outskirts of Súðavík. This area is used exclusively in the summertime. It is within comfortable walking distance of the new village of Súðavík and is situated beside the hiking trail between the old and new villages. It is a short drive away from the neighbouring towns. There is a parking lot next to the park and is out of the way of traffic passing through town.


Objectives

To provide a recreational space for the families in the North Westfjords.
To provide an area in which parents and their children can spend an enjoyable time together.
To provide a recreational area comparible with Kjarnaskóg in Akureyri.
Family parks such as those in Reykjavík and other areas do not exist in the Westfjords.


Financing

The Raggagarður committee seeks sponsorship from businesses, various institutions and individuals in Súðavík and neighbouring towns, in order to finance the project. Additional income is obtained by the selling of t-shirts,
caps and cakes.


Construction of the park

Much of the work on the park has been done voluntarily by the townsfolk who planted trees, laid turf and set up playground equipment. Children helped by holding tombolas and cake sales. Many Westfjord companies contributed by the loaning of their machinery and offering their services.


Work schedule

Construction on the first phase of area 1 began in June 2004. The duration of construction and its completion depend on available finance and is not expected to exceed 10 years.

Area 1. The plans for this area include barbeque facilities, benches and tables and playground equipment for children and teenagers. The playground equipment will be somewhat different to that which is found in schools and playschools but is intended for children of two years of age and older and is able to support the weight of adults.

Area 2. This is the area intended for recreational activities. Ideas include an 18 hole mini-golfcourse as well as large stones (as were lifted in the old days as a test of strength and endurance). Four large rocks arranged together with dwarves in the centre will mark the spot of ‘Dvergasteinn’. Westfjord artists are to display their works made from natural materials such as driftwood and stone. A small fishpond is planned. Raggagarður received the gift of a tiny house which stood at Dvergastein in Álftafjörður for many years and was built by Auðunn Árnasson who lived there. It will occupy a special place here. Also intended are a driftwood forest and benches and tables and a stage or platform for use during cultural events for music, singing and plays.

The name of the park, contributions toward the project, and the work involved are dedicated to the rememberance of Vilborg´s son Ragnar Frey Vestfjörð who died in a car accident on 19th August 2001. It was her wish that a park be established in his memory. A place where parents and their children and grandparents and their grandchildren, can spend an enjoyable time together, and a place where every visitor can reflect on the things they cherish most in life.


Raggagarður committee

The goal of the committee is to continue to work towards the completion of the family recreation park in Súðavík. The first phase of the project is being put to use.
committee management: Vilborg Arnarsdóttir (manager), Barði Ingibjartsson, Sigurdís Samúelsdóttir, Jónas Ágústsson, Anne Berit Vikse

Our heartfelt thanks to all concerned who work towards making the park a reality.



About Raggi


Ragnar Freyr Vestfjörð, or Raggi, as he liked to be called, was born on the 6th of October 1983 to parents Vilborg Arnarsdóttir and Gunnar Bjarki Vestfjörð.  They lived in Bolungarvík.  Ragnar was five years old when his brother Sindri was born.  On the 8th of March 1989, his father perished in  an avalanche on Óshlíð, between Bolungarvík and Ísafjörður.
Halldór Má Þórisson became Raggi´s stepfather and on the 1st of January 1995 the twins Elísa Vilborg and Þóri Garibaldi were born.  The family moved to Súðavík that summer and Ragnar completed primary-school there, in the spring of 1999.  He attended high school in Laugum in Þingeyjasýslu and went on to study electronics at the high school in Ísafjörður.  He spent the summers working in the shrimp factory in Súðavík.
Ragnar was an energetic and determined lad, with a wide circle of friends.  He was a dilligent worker and was good at anything he put his hands to.  He was a loyal friend and was always quick to help others, especially those who were not as self-confident as he.  Although he had a serious side he also had a great sense of humour.  He adored his siblings and was always keen to give his Mum a hand with them.  He was a reliable baby-sitter to the twins.
His family has many unforgettable memories of their times spent with him amongst others, vacationing at Kjarnaskóga in Akureyri.
Ragnar was tragicially killed in a motor-vehicle accident on the 19th of August 2001.  He was 17 years old.
The memories of this sweet, gentle boy with a big heart will forever burn brightly for his family.
Raggagarður was named after him and it is his family´s wish that it be a place where families can get together, young and old, and enjoy time together.  In this modern day and age it is important to take time to play and have fun, adults and children alike, while we still can.