By the end of
this year, all residents of Copenhagen must have access to a beach or public
green space within a 15-minute walking distance. This beneficial and
forward-thinking initiative is reflective of a long history of urban
greenspaces in Copenhagen. During recent field studies, we were able to explore
several parks around the city, each created in the 19th century, and
each still utilized today.
Frederiksberg Park
Although
Frederiksberg Park was originally created in conjunction with Frederiksberg
Palace in the late 1600s for King Frederik IV, the park’s current form, an
English landscape style garden, was designed in the 1800s. The park, at 64
acres, is one of the largest in Copenhagen, and with its meandering paths and
highly planned viewing points, gives a feeling of transporting visitors back to
another era. The park boasts a wide variety of attractions inspired by different
locales around the globe, from a Roman temple to a Chinese summerhouse, giving
off a worldly and cultured feel. A large number of water features attracts a
variety of birds and other wildlife, adding to the park’s charm. Today, many
people utilize the park as a place to run or walk, as well as a gathering place
for relaxing in the warmer weather. Additionally, a memorial tree serves as a
coming-of-age commemoration, with children’s pacifiers being hung on it once
they outgrow them.
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| http://lovecopenhagen.dk/2014/07/06/look-6-frederiksberg-have-frederiksberg-park/ |
Ørstedparken
Located near the
center of the city, Ørstedparken is a smaller park that was created in the
mid-1800s with an extremely natural feel. It is sunken compared to the
surrounding streets’ elevations, with trees surround the out limits, and is
centered around a large, organic-feeling pond. This park is commonly used as a
quick escape from the city, whether for a lunch break or to simply sit and
relax. Because of its unique sunken design and large number of trees, the park
is surprisingly well insulated from the noise and commotion of the city.
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| http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ørstedparken_-_greenery.jpg |
Botanical Gardens (KU)
The Botanical
Gardens, owned by Københavns Universitet, includes both a large park and a
series of historical greenhouses from the 1800s, housing a number of
warm-weather and exotic plants. The park is a conveniently located place to run
or wander about, and the greenhouses, with their warmth and exotic feel, are
popular both for those interested in plants and for people (such as myself on
more than one occasion!) trying to escape the cold of winter for some warmer
weather, if only for a few moments. The Botanical Gardens boast a huge
assortment of plant varieties, and unlike many other gardens of its kind around
the world, is entirely free to the public.
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| http://www.megapixeltravel.com/2012/08/copenhagen-denmark/ |
