Solgårdsparken

A seaside park between bay and river

Solgårdsparken stretches like a green peninsula between the open waters of Køge Bay and the winding Tryggevælde River, creating a rare mix of coastal light and riverine calm. You move from open lawns with big skies to intimate paths edged by reeds and old trees in just a few steps. The setting feels surprisingly secluded given that Strøby Egede’s houses are never far away, and yet birdsong and the rustle of leaves easily drown out any hint of suburbia. Low bridges cross narrow canals, while small lakes reflect crowns of beech and oak. On still days the water mirrors the sky so clearly that swans and ducks seem to glide through clouds. Sheltered corners invite picnics, and long views towards the bay remind you that the beach and a saltwater swim are only a short walk away. That combination of cultivated garden, meadow, and shoreline is what gives Solgårdsparken its distinct atmosphere.

From seaside villa dream to public retreat

The park was originally part of Solgården, a striking white seaside villa built as a fashionable retreat overlooking Køge Bay. In the early 20th century the owner bought surrounding land from the nearby Gjorslev estate and reshaped the flat fields into a romantic landscape garden. Allées, sweeping lawns, curving canals, islands, temples, sculptures, bridges, pavilions, fountains and a boat landing were laid out to create an idealized pleasure ground with dramatic viewpoints and quiet corners. Later Solgården took on a very different role as a treatment home. Under municipal ownership it housed first women with tuberculosis, then convalescent patients and later people with nervous conditions. A large open-sided rest hall was built so that patients could lie outdoors in fresh air; today this structure survives as an atmospheric shelter for picnics and events. In the 1980s the villa was demolished after years of neglect, and for a time the grounds became overgrown before local and municipal efforts restored the park as a public green space.

Romantic garden details and botanical surprises

Although the main house is gone, many features of the original romantic design remain. You can still find small temple-like structures and decorative statues placed to frame views across water or lawns. A pavilion here, a bridge there, and carefully sited benches turn simple strolls into a sequence of little scenes. The sculpted terrain, with its gentle rises and dips, contrasts with the flat coastal surroundings and makes even short walks feel varied. There is also a modest botanical element: in parts of the park, plantings introduce species from different parts of the world, echoing the fashion for exotic specimens that shaped many early 20th-century gardens. Mixed with native trees and shrubs, these plantings create subtle changes in colour and texture through the seasons, from spring blossoms to rich autumn foliage. The result is a place that rewards slow wandering as much as it does a straightforward jog.

Nature, play and outdoor life

Solgårdsparken functions today as a multi-purpose green lung for the area. Families gravitate toward the playground, with its equipment set among trees so that children remain close to nature even as they climb and swing. A designated dog forest allows dogs to run more freely, making the park a regular stop for local dog walkers. Open grassy areas welcome ball games and casual relaxation, while secluded glades work well for yoga, mindfulness or simply stretching out with a book. Outdoor-living facilities underline the park’s role as a base for longer visits. Shelters provide simple overnight options for those wanting to sleep under the stars, and fire pits and grills make it easy to turn a visit into a full picnic or evening gathering. Canoe put-in points along the water give paddlers access to peaceful stretches of the river landscape. At the same time, information boards help orient visitors and highlight both natural and cultural features, making the park a gentle introduction to the wider Stevns and Køge Bay area.

Stories in your ears as you explore

One of Solgårdsparken’s most distinctive features is its series of audio stories, gathered under the title "Lad os være mennesker!" and accessible via QR codes on benches at key spots. Each story is connected to a particular location in the park and invites you to sit, listen and look closely at your surroundings. The narratives weave together the park’s history, reflections on nature and broader thoughts about the good life, encouraging you to move more mindfully from place to place. Because the seven stories are stand-alone, you can dip into just one or follow several in sequence, shaping your own route through the landscape. They transform benches into tiny listening stations and turn architectural remnants, old trees and water views into prompts for reflection. Combined with the park’s quiet paths, seasonal colours and the ever-present sound of wind and water, they help Solgårdsparken feel not just like a local park but like a contemplative retreat embedded in everyday surroundings.