City accused of neglecting green space as form of punishment

Residents of Grafarvogur took matters into their own hands last night and mowed the field near Sóleyjarimi, after Reykjavík City repeatedly ignored their requests to tend the area this year.

The field, a popular recreational space for locals, is earmarked by the city for new residential development—despite strong opposition from the neighborhood and in contradiction to the city’s stated goals of increasing green areas.

In an article on Grafarvogur.net , local resident Ólafur Haraldsson—who operated the lawn tractor the neighbors rented together—said:

“We got tired of seeing it so overgrown. It’s never been like this before. The city has essentially written this field off as waste ground and let it grow wild, which just means they can’t be bothered to mow it. Now the kids can play freely again in this beautiful outdoor space in the heart of Rimahverfið.”

Letting the weeds win

Sigurður Einarsson, who also joined in with a traditional scythe, expressed frustration with the city's inaction, claiming it was deliberate.

“Everyone knows why the city isn’t mowing this area. They want to let it go to seed so they can justify development by saying the land is neglected,” he said.

“There has been mowing elsewhere—although late—but well-maintained. But known recreational areas like this one are left to deteriorate. One has to wonder if it’s a coincidence, given how vocal we’ve been in opposing the densification plans,” he added.