Experience 'life on the farm' at Polcenigo park

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Hidden in a corner of Polcenigo sits a local park unlike many others.
 
The 98-acre Rural Park of St. Florian is uniquely different than most parks in the states that are typically filled with swing sets and basketball courts. With a wide variety of native greenery and wildlife, the park resembles your average farm.

The park opened in 1976 with the goal of combining productivity with the environment, according to the park's website. This goal is accomplished through animal breeding, honey production, gardening, and the cultivation of endangered plants in order to save them from extinction. In 1998, it became a member of the European Federation of Parks to protect and enhance their goal.

My family and I recently visited the park and its many tenants. My children and their friends loved to "baa" at the sheep and interact with the larger park animals; not to mention the smaller inhabitants like the beautiful peacocks, roosters, rabbits and geese.
There's a lot to learn along your journey. Did you know the male peacock is more beautiful than the female, so it can attract the female? Or that male geese hiss when threatened, especially after having their picture taken several times? Even that electrified fence tickles a bit when you're standing too close and trying to capture pictures of the animals?

Upon arrival we trekked along the "With Feet on the Ground" walking trail. During the summer, you can kick off your shoes and walk barefoot through these sections made up of pinecone, cork, corn, and gravel pits. There's also a small log stump jump, log ramp and wooden teeter-totter you and your children can enjoy.

Along the path, and hopefully after you've redressed your feet, you'll arrive at a 1200 year old church.

The Church of St. Florian is named after the soldier of Lorch, Austria, who was martyred in 304 A.D. Arriving at this old church made us feel like explorers who'd stumbled upon an ancient masterpiece. Various sections of the church have been repaired but it still resembles a millennium old building - rare, unique and beautiful.

After the short two-hour walking loop, we were on our way. The trip back to the Aviano area took no more than 15; making it a great outing for families with smaller children who are looking for something free, local and family friendly.

For more information about the park, visit www.parcosanfloriano.it.