Johone Lapra Park
Purpose / Function
The Johone Lapra Park is the protected area around the Johone Lapra tree located in the middle of the Farafsha Towers complex. Lapra trees and their forests are open to public visitation, but no major constructions are ever permitted on their grounds. Restrooms and stalls are the most one may find in a Lapra park, including Johone.
Most Lapra parks like Johone also include a Waffara Retreat.
History
Johone is the second oldest Lapra tree in Varachir, and is estimated to be around 22,000 years old. It and the other ancient trees around the planet were designated protected natural wonders about two and a half thousand years ago.
Varachir started to build around Johone one millenia ago, but another millenia before that it was surrounded by the town of Hoffara. Before the nature of Lapra trees was fully understood, the residents of Hoffara built too close to the tree, requiring them to cut back its forest. The town was abandoned, but why exactly this happened is unknown. Evidence points to possible fears of Johone collapsing based on ancient roots that ripped out of the ground, and Johone itself has a slight tilt not seen on most healthy Lapras.
Ruins of the abandoned town can still be found throughout Johone's forest. The best preserved is a stone temple, but several trees have grown out of the circular building. The Johone Temple is a fairly popular location to visit, namely for meditation within its walls, in the midst of the trees growing in it, but it otherwise is unimpressive.
Johone's tilt made it too intimidating to build around for centuries, but studies of the old tree concluded that it wasn't bothered by its offset posture, and Varachir eventually expanded around it. The Farafsha Towers that encircle it today replaced rings of smaller houses only a few years before humanity joined the UTO, making them one of the newest parts of the city.
Alternative Names
Johone
Type
Park
Parent Location
Included Locations
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