Can you hear the echoes of seaplanes in H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken? This beautiful bay has a story that stretches back much further than you might think. For a thousand years H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken’s waters served as a base for naval units. Fast forward to the 20th century. H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken became home to a seaplane flotilla known as F2.
The flotilla was eventually shut down in 1974. Today one of the hangars serves as a parking garage. The F2’s old chancellery now houses a preschool and school. Even now H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken still tips its hat to its aviation past. You will notice that streets, activities, and other things in the area bear the name “Catalina” after the Consolidated PBY-5A aircraft that was once stationed here. We even celebrated 100 years of flight at H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken in 2019.
But H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken is more than just its military history. The bay is a haven for wildlife. It has alsump forests along the shore. Birdwatchers flock here especially in spring. You can hear the loud song of the little nightingale from evening to early morning. In winter look out for the gray-brown dipper. It has a bright white chin and chest.
Take a walk on the 500-meter wooden footbridge that winds along the bay. It was built in 2010. The footbridge starts in the alsump forest below the prison. It ends at the municipal boundary. The path leads you right into H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken.
Notice the wide accessible ramp with railings near the tennis court. It extends from the promenade to the water. The ramp is built on poles due to the marshy ground. It allows visitors to get close to the water. At the end of the ramp you can sit and enjoy the birds and nature.
Fishing was very important here in the 1700s and 1800s. Even today H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken remains rich in fish. This attracts anglers both in summer and winter. In summer you might see planes from the T\u00e4by Seaplane Club taking off and landing. During the winter months, H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken transforms into a winter wonderland. The ice becomes perfect for ice skating, ice sailing and winter fishing. When the snow falls a track is plowed on R\u00f6nningesj\u00f6n for skaters.
H\u00e4gern\u00e4s Strand itself is a modern suburb. Construction began in 2001. By 2013 it had fifteen cooperative housing societies with almost 800 apartments. The first houses were completed in 2003. Today there are 835 apartments in the area. H\u00e4gern\u00e4s Strands Forum is an organization for cooperation between housing societies.
From naval base to seaplane flotilla to modern suburb H\u00e4gern\u00e4sviken has seen it all. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of history nature and modern life that makes this place so special.