Skrylle – a popular oasis for nature-poor Lund
One million visits are made each year to the recreation area Skrylle, situated between Dalby and Södra Sandby. Skrylle today is an oasis for exercise, walking, meetings and socialising in a scenic environment for the inhabitants of Lund.
The word Skrylle (previously spelt Skrulle and Skrölle) simply means large forest area and at the end of the Middle Ages, the forest here was large. It was a deciduous forest stretching all the way to Arendala at Linero. The forest gradually became replaced by pasture and open common land. In the 17th century, spruce was introduced, and 80 percent of the area became a spruce forest until it was destroyed by the great storm.
It started more than 60 years ago
During the 1950’s and 60’s, Skrylle began being used as a fitness centre for the nature-poor residents of Lund. The company Dalby Stenkross donated an area of land for the purpose in the northern part of Dalby. A military barrack was transported here, which became the first premises at Skrylle, opening in 1952 and contractor Harry Karlsson supplied a builders’ hut to serve as changing rooms The Swedish outdoor association, Friluftsfrämjandet, set to preparing fitness trails within the area and during the first year of being opened, Skrylle was visited by some 1,800 people. Sports organiser Sven Håkansson, who later became known as “Mr Skrylle”, started group fitness training sessions in 1954, and in 1968, the first electric illuminated walking and jogging track was opened.
The barrack facilities soon became too cramped and new solutions had to be sought. In 1974, Lund had grown as a municipality and was prepared to purchase land for the new Skrylle fitness centre. The present Skrylle was inaugurated in 1972. SEK 2.1 million was invested by the municipality and the entire enterprise was handed over to Friluftsfrämjandet. This remains the case today, with the municipality owning the land rights and Friluftsfrämjandet running the Skrylle activities.
Mr Skrylle
Sven Håkansson became the first manager at Skrylle, leaving his mark on what would become the popular fitness centre it is today. He died in 1990. A fund in his name was created for the visitor’s centre Naturum, which has the purpose of describing the vegetation and wildlife in the area. The efforts of Sven Håkansson on Skrylle were later honoured by naming the road leading to Skrylle after him, Sven Håkanssons väg.
The old Skrylle barracks were replaced by a new building located on the same site. It was named Tetra Eden and functions as a gym for the staff of the company Tetra Pak.
New premises were added to Skrylle including gyms, barbecue areas and several more fitness tracks, many of them adapted for children curious about nature. Today, numerous visits are made to Skrylle from schools and kindergartens.
In 1995, Lund received the outdoor environment municipality award of the year. The social aspect of the centre was mentioned as a motivation for the award. Skrylle was and remains a popular fitness and outdoor centre for the pursuit of nature and exercise, or simply somewhere to have a coffee or eat lunch at its popular restaurant.
Availability
An illuminated walking and jogging track and a trail for mountain biking have now been added from Dalby. The municipality of Lund has contributed funds for an adapted outdoor gym with good accessibility. A track has been constructed from the bus stop for the visually impaired. The clear goal is that everyone should be able to visit the area and enjoy the natural environment that Skrylle has to offer. Already in 1980, the first handicap track was opened here.
The great storm
Throughout the years, the forest at Skrylle has encountered several storms. However, the worst occurred during the night-time hours between 3 and 4 December in 1999, when almost the entire spruce forest was destroyed. The site manager at the time was desperate. However, despair eventually turned to joy when the dark spruce forest was replaced by the deciduous trees we find here today. It is now much brighter and more inviting both at Skyllegården, the Skrylle centre, and when out and about on the numerous fitness tracks.
Text: Ingrid Nathéll, photo: Claes Wahlöö