The city is in bloom

Each summer, more than 200 workers maintain the city's green spaces to keep them safe, accessible, and, just as importantly, beautiful. Operations are based at Fiskislóð as well as in Elliðaárdalur, Jafnasel, and Laugardalur. Crews work across the entire city, including in Öskjuhlíð and Austurheiðar.

Marta Guðrún took over as head of landscaping in the fall of 2025, marking her first full summer in the role. As a trained environmental engineer, she finds the work both exciting and rewarding. 

We headed to Laugardalur together, joined by head supervisor Gulla — Guðlaug Guðjónsdóttir. There, crews turned compost — material that will later be used in garden beds. Laugardalur is a beautiful sight, and watching the flowers bloom is a true joy. Each year, the landscaping team selects the color schemes and plant varieties, which are then grown at the City's plant nursery.

Batman returns to the family garden

We also stopped by Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo, where a Batman logo crafted entirely from flowers was on display. The Caped Crusader has appeared at the park once before, making this a welcome return. 

We saw many examples of the work the landscaping staff is currently doing. Golden chain trees drape over a footbridge, and the flower squares are beautifully decorated.

Austurberg in Breiðholt

Our tour also took us to Austurberg in Breiðholt, which features plenty to see — including a new rest stop created by graduating students from the School of Horticulture in partnership with the City. There, we met members of the Neighborhood Services team painting playground equipment while others watered flower boxes and hanging baskets. 

We encourage residents to take a moment to notice the plant life around the city and enjoy its beauty.