Karens Minde Aksen is a new green urban space in Copenhagen's South Harbour. The area is built around a long brick path that winds through the park and ends in a floating circular wooden bridge. It's a great place for a stroll among large green trees in an exciting neighbourhood that also offers a cosy waterfront, wildlife and wild nature alongside modern architecture and great places to eat.
Karens Minde Aksen is more than a green area and a breath of fresh air from the noise and bustle of the city, it is also a climate innovation, as the path and park function architecturally as a so-called ‘cloudburst protection’. Previously, the park was at high risk of flooding because of its low location. Now, a system has been created that handles the large amounts of water through a series of filtration basins that leads it into a rainwater basin.
The park won Berlingske's award for Best Urban Space in 2023 for its dual function, the sustainable innovation to manage our rainwater while giving something back to the neighbourhood through a beautiful area.
In addition, Karens Minde Kulturhus is located in the park, a cultural and social hub for South Harbour locals, so consider stopping by for a coffee or cold beer in the café. They also host a wide range of exciting cultural events throughout the year and, together with the Karens Minde Akse, help to give the whole area a very special grassroots spirit.
Biodiversity is also in focus in the park, where both existing trees have been preserved and around 70 new ones have been planted. At the rainwater basin, the slopes have been planted and habitats for small animals and insects have been created behind large stones. The Children's Animal Park is located right next to the park, where you or your children may be lucky enough to encounter alpacas, sheep, horses, rabbits or chickens.
