Rebæk Søpark

Did a ghost story ever lead to the creation of a park? Here in Rebæk Søpark, it almost did. Rebæk Søpark started not as a park, but as a marshy meadow. In the 1870s, farmer Jens Pedersen needed gravel for the expanding railway. He began digging on his land, transforming the meadow into a large gravel pit. To keep the pit dry enough for work, Pedersen had to pump water out at night. The darkness and isolation sparked tales of ghostly, gray riders appearing at midnight when the pump horses would mysteriously stop. While the riders’ purpose remains a mystery, their story adds a touch of the spectral to Rebæk Søpark’s history. Rebæk Søpark isn’t just about ghosts. The gravel pit eventually filled with water, forming a lake, Rebæk Sø. In a town without other lakes, this new body of water became a beloved spot. It drew painters and photographers, eager to capture its unique beauty. Rebæk Sø’s charm didn’t go unnoticed. In 1947, the lake and its surrounding area were designated as a protected area, ensuring public access. This decision aligned with a growing movement to preserve natural spaces for everyone to enjoy. Today, Rebæk Søpark is a vibrant hub within Hvidovre. It offers space for walks, games, jogging, sunbathing, and more. It’s also home to four stone sculptures by Kaj Nielsen, depicting an owl, a gyrfalcon, a polar bear, and a seal, adding artistic flair to the natural landscape. And, if you stay late enough on Midsummer’s Eve, during the municipality’s annual celebration, you might just catch a glimpse of Jens Pedersen’s gray riders. They are a reminder of the park’s unusual origin story.