Old Park and Lake Vidusezers
Old Park
- The Old Park is located in the very heart of Smiltene, on the shore of Lake Vidusezers, and runs along the River Abuls to Lake Teperis and Promenade.
- The park is well-equipped with recreation and picnic areas, benches, paved paths, and newly constructed wooden walkways.
- Various species of trees and shrubs grow in the park, and fountains operate in the park’s water reservoirs.
- A small open-air stage is located in the middle of the Old Park. From there, the most observant travellers can see the coat of arms of Smiltene Town, carved into the cobblestone. On warm summer evenings, local musicians and other artists often perform on the stage.
- Everyone can find a suitable place here for a peaceful walk or active recreation. A quiet path, secluded benches by the ponds, numerous little bridges, a waterfall, and two hearts where newlyweds lock their padlocks make the park particularly suitable for romantic evenings for two. The winding sculpture trail with birds, the stone labyrinth, and the swans and ducks will delight the youngest visitors, while active recreation lovers can enjoy the terrain on bicycles, rollerblades, pedal karts, and more along the smooth park paths, as well as the outdoor gym equipment and a rope pyramid for climbing.
Lake Vidusezers
- The middle lake is in a cascade of three artificially created reservoirs on the River Abuls.
- The catchment area of Lake Vidusezers forms around the town of Smiltene and covers 60 ha. Lake length 490 m, width 100 m, perimeter 1.15 km. Maximum depth 3.5 m (by the sluices). Water levels may fluctuate depending on the operation of the sluice regulator.
- The northern and southern shores of the reservoir are steep, shaped by glacial meltwater.
- The water reservoir’s vegetation includes plant species typical of Latvian eutrophic lakes, such as reeds, cattails, sweet flag, yellow water lilies, water lilies, pondweeds, bladderworts, elodea, and charophytes. The fish stock includes bream, roach, perch, rudd, and pike.
