Lersøparken

From a marshland to a vibrant green space, Lersøparken’s story is one of transformation. Imagine Copenhagen in the 1800s. A large lake, also called Lersøen, stretched from present-day Lyngbyvej to Nørrebrogade. Over time, this lake, whose name likely comes from its clay bottom, became a marshland. Copenhagen’s basket makers harvested reeds here. Lersøparken, as we know it today, didn’t exist yet. The area even served as a dumping ground before the parish of Brønshøj merged with Copenhagen in 1901. The transformation began between 1908 and 1913. Lersøparken emerged as a green oasis. Allotments followed soon after, established between 1909 and 1920. Today, Lersøparken offers a variety of recreational activities. Since around 1945, its northern section has been home to football fields, the stomping ground of Bispebjerg Boldklub. The first official Danish Football Union (DBU) match was held here in 1947. Children can enjoy the playground, renovated in 2009. Art lovers can admire sculptures like “Girl Fixing Her Hair” by Povl Søndergaard, gifted in 1931. Another notable piece is Knud Nellemose’s “Young Man with Discus,” a 1942 addition. Nellemose even received the Eckersberg Medal for this sculpture in 1944. Lersøparken isn’t just a park. It represents Copenhagen’s ability to reclaim and revitalize spaces, transforming a former marshland and dumping ground into a beloved community park.