Legepladsen i Skydebanehaven

A hidden green pocket in the heart of Vesterbro

Skydebanehaven sits quietly just behind bustling Istedgade, and Legepladsen i Skydebanehaven occupies its liveliest corner. Step through one of the modest gateways and the city noise drops away, replaced by the clatter of tricycles and children’s laughter echoing off an impressive red-brick wall. Lawns, flowerbeds and mature trees soften the hard edges of the surrounding apartment blocks, giving this small park the feel of a secret garden shared by the neighbourhood. The playground area is fully enclosed within the park, which makes it particularly reassuring for carers with energetic youngsters. Paths are broad and mostly flat, with open sightlines across the play zones, so it is easy to keep track of kids while still enjoying the leafy surroundings. Benches and small seating areas are scattered throughout, inviting you to linger longer than planned.

From royal shooting range to family playground

The name Skydebanehaven, “The Shooting Range Gardens,” hints at a very different past. In the 18th century the Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society established its range here, beyond the then city limits. By 1887 a monumental shooting wall had been built to protect passersby from stray bullets, creating the soaring brick backdrop that still dominates one end of the park today. Target practice has long since ceased, and the grounds were gradually reshaped into a public park in the mid-20th century. The tall wall and the former society mansion at the opposite end remain as striking architectural reminders of this martial heritage. The playground’s design, especially its playful parrot motif and whimsical details, nods to the historic bird-shooting competitions that once took place here, where wooden parrots were used as targets in elaborate annual festivities.

The famous parrot and imaginative play zones

Legepladsen i Skydebanehaven is best known for its huge, brightly coloured parrot structure, which children can climb inside and around before swooping down via multiple slides. This centrepiece functions as both landmark and meeting point, instantly visible from most of the play area and inspiring many imaginative games. Around it, different zones cater to varying ages and abilities. Younger children gravitate to sandpits, low slides and gentle swings, while older kids test themselves on climbing frames, rope bridges and a flying-fox zipline. A fenced ball cage allows for football and other games without stray balls interrupting smaller play. The mix of rubber, sand and grass surfaces helps soften tumbles and adds textural variety underfoot.

Water, wheels and staffed activities

On warm summer days a shallow toddler pool becomes the focus of the playground, offering a safe splash zone where little ones can cool off. Benches along the edge make it easy for adults to supervise without needing to stand the whole time. When the pool is closed outside the warmest months, the space reverts to an extra play and seating area. As a staffed municipal playground, Skydebanehaven often hosts organised activities such as treasure hunts, creative workshops and informal sports games. The staff are present to animate the space and support play, though they do not act as babysitters. A stock of shared tricycles, scooters and small go-karts adds to the sense of abundance; children can borrow them freely as long as they are returned afterward, reinforcing a gentle culture of communal use.

Comforts, rules and everyday routines

Practical touches help make longer visits easy. Public restrooms are available within the park, and simple refreshments like coffee and ice cream are typically sold from a small kiosk during staffed hours and in the warmer season. Shaded seating under trees or near the wall offers respite on hot days, while more open spots catch the lower northern light on cooler afternoons. Clear rules keep the area pleasant for families: dogs and cats are not allowed inside the playground, and glass bottles and full-size bicycles are also prohibited. Opening hours vary between summer and winter, and the staffed element mainly runs on weekdays with additional hours in parts of the summer season. Outside those times, the playground area itself may be closed even though the surrounding park remains accessible.

A neighbourhood hub for locals and visitors alike

For Vesterbro residents, Skydebanehaven functions as an extended backyard, a place where children learn to ride on two wheels and seasonal traditions unfold year after year. For visitors, it offers a revealing glimpse of everyday Copenhagen life, far from the city’s grand boulevards yet only a short walk from central sights. The combination of historic architecture, dense urban context and exuberant play equipment creates a memorable contrast. Whether you come for a quick burn-off-energy stop or settle in for an unhurried afternoon, Legepladsen i Skydebanehaven showcases the city’s commitment to child-friendly public spaces. The result is a welcoming, low-key playground that feels distinctly local yet instantly accessible to anyone travelling with children.