Gundersen Arboretum
Upon the purchase of the 112 acre Running farm in 1960, Dr. Alf and Carroll Gundersen saw the opportunity to create and preserve something of lasting benefit to the coulee region. Naming it 'High Hope Springs', over the years, they carefully planned and brought into being a series of plantings, landscaping and other improvements that transformed the coulee farm into a park-like setting full of wildflowers, meandering streams, bubbling springs and groves of pines and other trees.
A special part of the plans involved the creation of an arboretum, which they named the Helga Gundersen Arboretum in honor of Dr. Alf's mother. The terrain features exposures in all directions and includes wetlands, prairie and woodland ecosystems with an amazing diversity of flora and fauna.
The Helga Gundersen Arboretum is home to a bronze sculpture , Zerogee II, by nationally know sculptor Paul T. Granlund. The Norskedalen newsletter from Fall 1983 contains this information: "Zerogee II depicts a mother, father and child in a flowing posture which could only be possible in a gravitiy-free environment. The sculpture is located on the arboretum trail just above the waterfall pool. The sculpture was purchased by Dr. Alf Gundersen in memory of his mother, Helga."
Dr. Alf saw the Arboretum as dedicated to "Beauty and not to utilitarian purposes."
Nisse Note: A lovely handicapped-accessible trail that is perfect for wheelchairs, strollers and walkers leads to the Arboretum from the handicapped parking lot on the exit road. There are also benches along the route. Cars without a handicapped sticker may park along the road on the grass.