Sønæs Vandpark

From Football Fields to Climate-Smart City Park

Sønæs Vandpark sits on land that once held flat, utilitarian football pitches on the southern edge of Viborg. Today, the same ground has been reimagined as a sculpted landscape of basins, channels and grassy mounds, designed to hold and clean large volumes of rainwater before it flows into Søndersø. The result is a park where engineering and leisure blend so seamlessly that many visitors simply experience it as a beautiful place to be outside. The park is part of Viborg’s wider strategy to handle heavier rainfall and cloudbursts. A network of ponds and wetlands slows stormwater from the city, while reed beds and planted shelves help remove nutrients and particles. Beneath the surface, hidden structures manage flows and storage, but above it the atmosphere is relaxed, open and human-scaled.

Water, Boardwalks and Everyday Encounters with Nature

Water is the defining element at Sønæs. Long, shallow pools curve through the site, reflecting the sky and nearby apartment buildings. In some places, low timber decks float just above the surface, giving you the feeling of stepping out over the water. Other stretches are edged with wild grasses and reeds, where ducks forage and songbirds shelter. A circular route of roughly 1.1 kilometres loops around the area, inviting gentle walks, pram strolls and evening runs. Surfaces alternate between concrete paving and compacted paths, so you move smoothly from open lawns to close-up views of rippling water and reeds. Subtle level changes and small bridges make the walk varied without feeling strenuous.

Spaces for Play, Picnics and Everyday Life

Sønæs was designed as a local living room as much as a technical facility. Open grass areas provide space for informal ball games or a blanket in the sun. Benches and simple seating blocks appear at natural pauses along the paths, letting you watch children explore the water’s edge or cyclists gliding past. Play elements are scattered rather than fenced in: balancing logs, gentle slopes and stone edges become invitations to climb, jump and test balance. The water is mostly shallow near the banks, with clear visual boundaries that make it easier for families to keep an eye on curious youngsters. On mild evenings, barbecues and picnics give the park a sociable feel without overwhelming its calm character.

Architecture in the Open Air

Although Sønæs is largely about landscape, there is a clear architectural language at work. Simple concrete, weathered steel and untreated timber are used consistently in steps, retaining walls, decks and railings. These robust materials age gracefully and can handle both fluctuating water levels and heavy everyday use. Viewed from above or from nearby buildings, the basins and paths read almost like a drawing: sweeping curves, straight lines and carefully placed islands define zones for water, people and planting. Subtle lighting makes the main routes legible after dark, while keeping the night environment gentle for birds and insects around the lake.

A Showcase for Sustainable Urban Design

Sønæs has become a reference point for how a city can turn necessary climate infrastructure into an attractive public space. Instead of hiding pipes and reservoirs underground, Viborg chose to make them visible and understandable, adding educational boards that explain how rainwater is slowed and cleaned on its way to Søndersø. Because the area remains largely open and planted with hardy, native or adaptable species, maintenance demands are modest and biodiversity benefits are tangible. Seasonal changes are part of the experience: spring brings fresh green reeds, summer fills the park with insect life and warm evenings, while autumn mists and winter frost show the basins and contours in a new light.

Experiencing Sønæs Through the Seasons

There is no single "right" time to visit Sønæs. On bright days, the reflections on the water and broad sky views give the park a spacious, almost coastal mood despite its urban setting. In light rain, the sound of drops on the water and the sight of run-off channelling into basins underline the park’s purpose without making it inhospitable. Even a short visit can include a loop walk, a pause at the lakefront, and a moment on one of the decks close to the water. Longer stays naturally slow your pace: you notice the pattern of planting, the way children gravitate to certain edges, or how the city’s everyday life flows gently around this carefully designed pocket of nature and engineering.