Bakkegården
OWNER Wessberg & Korsgaard’s Foundation
COLLABORATION PARTNER Herlev Municipality
ENTREPRENEUR FJ. Poulsen
STATUS Under construction
Bakkegårdens Naturfond –
A nature area for learning, peace and curiosity
Bakkegården Nature Foundation was created to preserve and develop a special piece of nature in the middle of Herlev – a 10,000 m² green area dedicated to children, young people and the community. The foundation’s vision is based on Vibeke Wessberg’s great commitment to nature and the desire to give future generations the opportunity to understand and experience the interconnectedness of nature on their own terms.
The area is located within the local plan’s nature area and is being developed in close dialog with Herlev Municipality. The goal is to create a vibrant and accessible nature area where children can learn through the senses, explore biodiversity and experience the joy of nature.
A green joint project
Bakkegården’s Nature Foundation is run as a non-profit, self-governing foundation that leases the area for 30 years. With support from Bakkegården, both establishment, development and operation are ensured. The project is created in collaboration with Herlev Municipality and will be an open, accessible and vibrant nature area for the benefit of the local community for many years to come.
arrival
Bakkegården welcomes visitors from the northern side of Skinderskovvej. There is bicycle parking and a small service building with toilets and a firewood depot, making it easy to use the area for both short visits and longer stays.
Theme areas – nature’s small universes
The nature area is organized into eight themed areas, with the meadow as the central focal point. From here, you can move easily between the many different “nature rooms”, each designed to create a specific mood and activity.
The eight thematic areas include The Meadow – the gathering point, The clearing – the senses in play, Freedom – the original nature, The forest lake – life in the water, The forest edge – motor skills and balance, The brook – movement and physics, The island – building and creating, and The view – life in the air.
The areas are surrounded by dense vegetation, each with its own distinctive expression that provides peace, creates space and makes them easy to recognize for children and adults.
Streams
A natural stream meanders through the area and connects two small lakes. This creates a varied terrain and provides an opportunity to explore water movement, wildlife and small ecosystems up close.
Noise barrier
Towards Krebsdammen is a noise barrier that shields the area from traffic noise and also acts as a landscape element. One of the theme areas is located at the top of the embankment, where the view opens up over nature and provides a special perspective on the area.
Nature squares – small windows into nature’s evolution
Around the area there are a number of 2×2 meter nature squares, delimited by small poles and string. They act as small “observation fields” where children can follow the evolution of nature over time.
On return visits, children investigate which animals and plants appear or disappear and how the area changes. The nature squares provide a concrete understanding of the dynamics of nature and make investigations both simple and accessible.
Learning in nature
Although the area is created with learning in mind, the goal is not to turn nature into a classroom – but a place where curiosity can unfold naturally. Herlev’s daycare centers and schools will be able to use the area as a supplement to existing nature offerings, but the activities will always be based on the area, the tranquility and the experience.
Children can dig, investigate, sense, build, listen, play and experience – whether they come for an hour of play or for a planned course.
Planting
The planting is composed of a wide selection of native species. Each theme area has its own planting style, inspired by Danish habitats, so that children can easily orient themselves and experience the diversity of nature’s expression. This creates both variety and supports biodiversity.
