“Montagna per tutti”: nature park, educational trail, botanical garden and multi-purpose centre

The Valle Brembana mountain community took up the Municipality of Carona’s proposal to create a nature park in the municipal area, with the improvement of trails of botanical and wildlife interest, a nature observatory and an area equipped for sport climbing (a climbing crag). The project brought several works together in a single strategic plan: the scheme had to fit in with the existing landscape and urban features, complete and enhance initiatives already undertaken by the Municipality and remove architectural barriers, so that the area can be enjoyed by everyone. The botanical garden is devoted to the trees and shrubs typical of the montane and alpine belts of the Orobie Alps. The arboretum is paired with an area devoted to woodland fruits, a medicinal herb garden of the plants used in traditional mountain folk “medicine”, and a rock garden with some of the most significant protected species. Particular care was given to aesthetic and landscape values, with a small pond and terraces in slate (a local stone of great importance to the history and economy of the valley). Accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers were studied very carefully, and all the paths can be used independently by people with disabilities. The nature trail was restored with traditional techniques, using local stone for slope stabilisation (dry-stone walls), surface improvement (kerbs, cobbles and steps) and run-off drainage (stone channels and paved gutters). The trail descending west from the observatory joins the loop that follows the shores of Lake Carona, where the project completed and improved access to the shore along a pleasant and easy footpath. The whole route along Lake Carona, up to the dam, is accessible to blind visitors, with handrails, cane guides and suitable tactile information panels. Further upstream, where the River Brembo enters the reservoir and the riverbed widens, wooden platforms were built for resting and recreation, with tables and benches.