Today, there is nothing reminiscent of the cattle pasture that was replaced by the 65-hectare contiguous green area with rich vegetation between 1969 and 1977. Its planting also meant the largest forestation in Zala Valley – it is home to more than 80 tree species and many protected plants.
The Zala Valley Park Forest opened to the general public on 23rd April 1976. Next to the educational path, there is a hill and a playground for children. The forest is also a popular place for athletes: many run, cycle here or play football on the glade, dogs and their owners also take advantage on the green.
It is worth having a walk to Zala Valley Park Forest around April-May to admire one of the most significant and – from nature conservation point of view – most valuable chequered lily field of Hungary (with tens of thousands of specimens in the area) half way between the city centre and Csácsbozsok district, on the glade next to the Blood Mill. The Fritillaria meleagris is a Eurasian species of flowering plant in the lily family Liliaceae. Its common names include snake’s head fritillary, snake’s head (the original English name), chess flower, frog-cup, guinea-hen flower, guinea flower, leper lily (because its shape resembled the bell once carried by lepers), Lazarus bell, chequered daffodil, drooping tulip or, in the British Isles, simply fritillary. It was awarded the title of Wildflower of the Year in 2016 and – as it is in danger of extinction in many places – it is protected in Hungary.
