We use benches in Hafnarfjörður.
Cultural and health walk there last week, „We use benches“, was held around Ástjörn, guided by Gylfi Ingvarsson. It covered the history of the area and the new benches available for walkers to use. The project of the same name, „Use a benchi“, has been running since 2012. The aim is to promote increased physical activity among older people.
We use benches
Cultural and health walk last week, „We use benches„A guided walk around Ástjörn was led by Gylfi Ingvarsson. It covered the history of the area and the new benches available for walkers to use. However, the project of the same name has been running since 2012. Benches have been installed at intervals of 250 to 300 metres, with the aim of encouraging increased physical activity among older people. Companies, individuals and local organisations have been responsible for the design and funding of the benches.
Read more about the natural wonder Ástjörn | Hafnarfjörður (hafnarfjordur.is)
Summary of the project „Let's Use Benches“ 2012-23 in Hafnarfjörður
At the spring meeting of the Hafnarfjörður Council of Elders on 5 May 2012, an agreement was signed on the community project „We use benches“, between the Council of Elders, FEBH, the Association of Physiotherapists and the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður, regarding the installation of benches at intervals of 250 to 300 metres. The aim is to encourage more exercise among older people, enabling them to go out for walks and sit on a bench, thereby improving the quality of their physical activity in their local environment. The benches are manufactured by Málmsteypan Hellu, which donates the 10th bench purchased from them. The benches are marked with the donors' names and/or in dedication to someone the donor chooses.
Initially, companies and organisations in Hafnarfjörður were approached to get involved in the project. In the first phase, which was implemented in 2013, the following companies, organisations and parties were among those supporting the project: Actavis, Arion Bank, Atlantsolía, IKEA, the Association of Senior Citizens of Hafnarfjörður, the Staff Association of Hafnarfjörður and Sjúkraþjálfarinn.
In 2015, more companies, organisations and individuals joined the project as partners. Among them were Fjarðarkaup, Íslandsbanki, the Kiwanis Club Eldborg, Málmsteypan Hella, the Port of Hafnarfjörður and the Lions Club Kaldá.
Design competition and bespoke benches at schools
A design competition was held in 2013 in the design department of the Hafnarfjörður Technical College/Technical College, and many interesting proposals were received. The bench Guardian was selected in the spring of 2015. The production of the prototype was carried out by students of the school under the guidance of teachers. Hrafnkell, the project manager on behalf of the school, and the Principal of the Technical College formally handed over the bench on 2 October 2019. The designers are Ásdís Ýr Einarsdóttir, Erla Rún Ingólfsdóttir and Reynir Reynisson. The bench is located at Rauðsnef on Langeyrarmelar.
Inauguration and handover of the Vörður award bench | Hafnarfjörður (hafnarfjordur.is)
A letter was also sent to all primary schools in Hafnarfjörður in the autumn of 2015, asking each school to build a bench to be placed at their school and marked with the project's logo. It is hoped that the schools will take part in this community project, even if it is at a later date. A large tree bench at the Hjallastefnan nursery school on Hjallabraut will be marked with the project.
The largest single donation to the Brúkum bekki project
Ásmegin Physiotherapy, owned by Kristinn Magnússon, physiotherapist, has donated 12 benches of the model Rock located by the walking trail around Ástjörn and in the immediate vicinity. This is the largest single donation to the project.„We use benches“and are valued at around one and a half million kroner. The benches were dedicated in the spring of 2022. But those benches could be seen on the cultural and health walk around Ástjörn last 2nd August.
The Pink Bench at the Library
This spring, new benches were added: one from the Women's League of Hafnarfjörður to mark the league's 50th anniversary, which is the pink bench by the Library. Then there is a bench at the marina which was donated by the descendants „In memory of the honourable couple, Captain Ara Magnús Krisjánsson and the merchant Hulda Júlíana Sigurðardóttir.“ The harbour was a major part of their lives." The Lions Club of Hafnarfjörður has also installed benches at Hvaleyrarvatn, and in July, the Rotary Club of Hafnarfjörður town donated six benches to the Káldárselsstígur path.
Map showing all walking routes and benches
A map of the town was produced by Ishmael David, showing all walking routes and benches at intervals of 250 m to 300 m; it can be said that in Hafnarfjörður, the next bench is never far away. The maps are available in all sports halls, swimming pools, at Hraunsel, 33 Hjallabraut, Hrafnista, Höfn, and at the municipal service centre. The main partners for the City of Hafnarfjörður have been Helga Stefánsdóttir, Berglind Guðmundsdóttir and Ishmael Roberto David, as well as the council of the time.
Hafnarfjörður | Map view | Aerial photographs of Iceland | Map of Iceland
After all, we're all in the same boat.
The map is currently being updated. Project managers, Gylfi Ingvarsson and Kristinn Magnússon, recently went for a walk around Ástjörn to assess the conditions on the footpath and inspect the area's layout. „It's always busy there as the area is an absolute gem that needs to be looked after and protected. For example, it would be good to get walking groups within FEBH to walk the marked trails and provide feedback on where improvements are needed.“
„The project is ongoing, and we encourage anyone who would like to get involved to get in touch. We would also welcome feedback on the project and suggestions for new walking routes. It is interesting to see generations discuss the matter, with the younger ones helping the older ones, walking together, sitting down on a bench and having a light chat, because after all, we are all in the same boat.“
Hafnarfjörður with the best implementation of the project nationwide
The project team thanks everyone who has been involved in the project.„We use benches“ in Hafnarfjörður for the excellent collaboration in making the project so successful that we in Hafnarfjörður have the best implementation of the project nationwide. The project management committee is composed of; Gylfi Ingvarsson from the Council of Elders, Valgerður Sigurðardóttir from FEBH and Kristinn Magnússon, a physiotherapist from the Physiotherapists' Association. Further information is available on the websites of the City of Hafnarfjörður, the Association of Senior Citizens in Hafnarfjörður and the Physiotherapists' Association.
Older announcements
Ásmegin provides 10 benches | Hafnarfjörður (hafnarfjordur.is)
Short walk to the next bench | Hafnarfjörður (hafnarfjordur.is)
Further information about the project and Ástjörn can also be found via the following links.
Environmental Agency | Ástjörn and Ásfjall, Hafnarfjörður (ust.is)