Legepladsen i Skydebanehaven, Vesterbro

A hidden playground behind a historic brick wall

Skydebanehaven sits quietly in the heart of Vesterbro, yet feels worlds away from the traffic and nightlife nearby. Step through the gate by Absalonsgade and you enter a compact urban park framed by lawns, flower beds and mature trees, with the playground spreading out at the Istedgade end. Above it all rises the striking Neo‑Gothic shooting range wall from 1887, originally built to shield the city from stray bullets when the area was a live firing range. The wall, with its red brick buttresses, towers and decorative details, gives the playground a dramatic backdrop you will not find in many city parks. On one side, everyday apartment buildings peek over the parapet; on the other, the rear of the former Royal Copenhagen Shooting Society mansion recalls the site’s more formal past. Today the atmosphere is relaxed and neighbourhood‑focused, with the historic structures lending a sense of place rather than formality.

A colourful staffed playground for all ages

Within this enclosure, the main attraction is the large, manned playground known locally as the Parrot Playground, named for its huge, brightly coloured parrot climbing sculpture. Children clamber up through its body, emerge from slides, and weave around smaller play towers, bridges and climbing nets that radiate from the central figure. The presence of staff during opening hours adds structure and oversight, though guardians remain responsible for their own children. Beyond the signature parrot, you will find classic play equipment: swings of different sizes, a zipline, sandpits, see‑saws and low elements suitable for toddlers. The playground is laid out so younger children have gentler areas while older kids gravitate toward more challenging structures and the ball cage. Surfaces combine sand, rubber and paving, making the space usable in most seasons and helping to soften falls for new walkers.

Water play, sports and seasonal activity

On warm summer days a shallow toddler pool becomes the social centre of the playground. The basin is designed for splashing rather than swimming, ringed by benches where adults can sit with feet in the water or watch from the shade. When the pool is filled, the atmosphere becomes almost beach‑like, with towels, snacks and buckets scattered around the edges and the soundtrack of squeals and splashes echoing off the old wall. For more energetic play, there is a fenced ball area used for football, basketball and improvised games, as well as a small fleet of ride‑on toys such as scooters, balance bikes and go‑karts that children can borrow on the understanding they are returned. Staff often organise informal tournaments, treasure hunts and creative workshops, particularly in the lighter months when opening hours are longer. The surrounding lawns provide space for picnics, prams and quiet breaks between activities.

A pocket park woven into Vesterbro life

Although designed around children, Skydebanehaven functions as a neighbourhood garden. Flower beds and carefully tended shrubs soften the urban edges, while trees offer pockets of shade for reading or chatting. Benches are positioned to give good views of the playground, enabling caregivers to supervise while still enjoying a moment of calm. The walls that once kept bullets in now keep traffic and dogs out, adding a sense of safety and enclosure valued by local families. Rules are simple and clearly posted: no dogs, cats, glass bottles or bicycles in the play area, and respect for shared equipment. These guidelines help maintain a clean, easy‑going environment where small children can roam freely. In winter the staffed playground operates shorter hours but remains open on weekdays, and the park’s open areas can still be used for fresh‑air breaks and simple games even on colder days.

Planning your visit with kids in mind

Legepladsen i Skydebanehaven is especially suited to families with young children, but it also works well for mixed‑age groups thanks to the range from toddler corners to more adventurous elements. The space is enclosed and mostly level, though some older surfaces and steps around the park can be uneven. Simple facilities such as toilets, seating and trash bins are available, and the location in central Vesterbro means cafés and supermarkets are only a short stroll away for snacks and supplies. A typical visit might begin with climbing and sliding on the parrot, move to water play if the pool is open, and end with a quiet picnic on the grass or a ball game in the cage. Whether you stay an hour or linger through an afternoon, the blend of history, greenery and well‑designed play makes Skydebanehaven feel like a small discovery, even for those who live just a few blocks away.