Overall Experience

Summarize your experiences of, and write a definition of Danish greenspace.

After three weeks of class, and many fieldtrips to different types of greenspaces in Denmark, you might assume it would be easy to put one simple definition on the phrase “Danish Greenspace,” however; the phrase cannot be described by one simple sentence or one definition. Before defining Danish greenspace, I feel it is important to define what the term ‘greenspace’ means. A greenspace is any area of land set aside for the building of a park or other section of land that can be used for the enjoyment by people. While this definition is true, the phrase, “Danish Greenspace” means much more than that and it adds an element of culture to the word.

The Danish culture is very much influenced by greenspace and the greenspaces are influence by the Danes themselves. Danish Greenspace, in a physical sense, is a park or other area in which Danes can go to a number of various activities; it incorporates history, education and self-expression into the everyday life of the Danes. Because the Danish identity can be contributed largely to an eco-friendly attitude and an overall “green” lifestyle, the use of greenspaces is a big part of their lives. Danish Greenspace, in a non-physical sense, is a feeling or a bond that holds the Danes so close to one another and nature and it is important to the Danes in number of ways. The entire Danish identity is influenced very greatly by Danish Greenspace, which shows just how important greenspaces are, especially in Denmark.

In the past three weeks, I’ve come to learn a lot about Danish Greenspace, culture and identity. My experiences in this class have also shown me a lot about myself that I hadn’t previously known. From a class standpoint, I learned a lot about the history of Denmark, the Danes, and the parks including many dates, and other historical facts. While I did enjoy learning about Denmark’s past, I took an even greater lesson from the class. I learned about Danish culture and how the Danes live each day. The history and facts played a role in learning this but more important than the facts was the field experience. It isn’t possible, or it’s at least extremely different to learn and understand Danish culture by sitting in a classroom. The trips back in time at Lejre or Gilleleje and the trips to quiet peacefulness at De Runde Haver and Store Hareskov and Bådfart and even the modern park trips to Superkilen and Mimersparken all contributed to gaining insight on Danish culture and how their society works.

This class offered me far more than I ever though it would. I assumed I would learn about the history of Danish parks and how they are used but I never imagined I would be able to see, hear, feel and experience Danish culture in just the few short weeks I was in Denmark. I am grateful for this class and all of the experiences I was able to gain through it.

Egeskov Castle's Role and Purpose

Does the historic and elitist institution of the country house estate have a role and purpose in Denmark’s egalitarian society?  Explain your answer.

The historic and elitist institution of the country house estate, like Egeskov, does have a role and purpose in Denmark’s egalitarian society. Although there are not many of these large estates in Denmark, there still are several spread throughout the country. These kinds of estates offer many benefits to the people of Denmark. For just a small fee, anyone can enter the gates of the castle grounds and enjoy everything the estate has to offer. Even though there are citizens still residing within the castle, a large portion of it is open for anyone to come and see the inside. In addition to the availability of the touring of the castle, the grounds of the castle’s estate are kept and maintained. They are maintained mainly because of their natural beauty and for the many of visitors the grounds hold on a daily basis.

Within the estate also lie many different activities for the visitors to do while inside the grounds. Guests could go through a large grass maze, wonder through many gardens with a variety of flowers and plants, explore through a bicycle, motorcycle, or car museum, or even explore an aerial ropes course high above the ground, within the trees. This private estate, turned in public greenspace allow for an additional park to be built for the enjoyment of others. In doing this, the variety of types of greenspaces also expands.

Even though this estate is very different from any of the parks we have previously visited in class, it gives many of the same benefits that the other greenspaces do. People can use the space to enjoy the nature for all that it is worth, enjoy the historic aspect by looking at and within the castle and even just walk around and enjoy times outdoors. The ultimate role and purpose of the country house estate, Egeskov, is to provide another form of greenspace for the public to enjoy, and it does succeed in that aspect.

Contrast today’s experiences of a Danish National Park with America’s National Parks in general, or specifically with one that you have visited.

A national park can be defined differently depending on what country you live in and what kind of area the park is located on. After our visit to the Danish National Park, Kongernes Nordsjylland, I noticed several differences between the Danish park and that of the United States. Even though both the Danish National Parks and the American National Parks have a desire and a need to preserve and protect sections of their nations, the two do so in different ways and have different styles of doing so.

In the Danish National Parks, they try to preserve as much land as possible, and most of the land in Denmark is suitable for agriculture and farming. Due to this, the parks allow people to live there, and use their own land to farm, even though their land lies within the boundaries of the national park. Unlike the Danish National Parks, many of the parks in the United States are located in areas with rougher terrain. The Grand Canyon is located in a very dry climate and the Everglades are in a large, wet swamp-like area. Due to this, there are very few people living within them, let alone making a living within them.

A house on the grounds of Kongernes Nordsjylland, Denmark.

Another difference between the parks is their size and shear number of parks located within the country. Based on the size of the two countries, Denmark and the United States, the United States has far more area to hold large national parks, which is reflected in the number of national parks housed in both countries. Currently the United States has 59 national parks and Denmark has 3, not including Greenland and many of the United States’ parks are much larger simply based on the fact that there is more room for them in the United States.

View of a lake within Kongernes Nordsjylland, Denmark.

Another difference between the two countries’ national parks is the usage and fees associated with both. In the United States, many people view national parks as tourist destinations or vacation places, whereas the Danish view their national parks similar to the way they view other parks, just on a more grand scale. In the United States, families take vacations to see vast open spaces that have been preserved and set aside from modern infrastructure. Even though the United States has more national parks, the Danish focus more of their culture around the use of parks, both nationally and locally. Danes can be seen exercising, boating, swimming and enjoying nature in national parks and local parks alike on any given day. In the United States, there is a very different culture when talking about parks. While there are many people who go and enjoy the parks in the United States, there is a much lower percentage of Americans that use parks on a daily basis compared to that of the Danish. In addition to this, many of the parks in the United States charge a small fee upon entering, while the Danish national parks do not. This makes the parks in Denmark much more accessible for everyday use opposed to just visiting every once in a while like many Americans do.

The Grand Canyon, United States of America.

 Even though the goals of national parks are similar in both countries, the ways of achieving those goals differ. The two countries each have national parks that serve their people in ways that suit the culture of their nation, and that is why the parks are utilized so differently.

Pathway within Kongernes Nordsjylland, Denmark.

Forests and their Importance

Why has so much valuable land close to Copenhagen been given over to forest?

Currently, forests cover about 12.4 percent of Denmark’s landmass. This percentage is very high because of all the benefits the forests add to the environment. So much of Danish land has been set aside for the preservation of these forests to hold onto the strong ties Denmark has to nature and being “green.” Many areas of these forests have been cut down to build houses or other types of infrastructure. In the area we began to look at, there were several large houses built, along the water. After they were built, the government stepped in and did not allow any more destruction of the forest for the building of houses any longer. This was mainly because of the recreational, ecological and social benefits that forests add to Denmark.

Forests, like parks are great places to enjoy nature. Forests have many recreational benefits that work alongside with social benefits to maximize the enjoyment of all of its visitors. In forests, like Store Hareskov and Bådfart, there are many trails and paths laid out for runners, cyclists and those who want to experience nature. Many people can be seen enjoying nature, bird watching, walking their dogs, fishing or sitting down taking in the sights and sounds that nature offers them. Within a forest, one can truly experience the serenity and peacefulness of nature, while separating themselves from their lives in the city. Forests also provide a wonderful environment for enjoying times with friends and family. The social aspect of enjoying a forest with others and enjoying the time that is spent together, work together to enhance the experience with one another. Along many of the trails are a number of different types of trees, including beechwood, English oak, Norway spruce and pine. The biodiversity of the trees also encourages a similar biodiversity in the fauna that can survive there. This ecological diversity allows for a stronger and healthier ecosystem, and these, along with the recreational and social benefits, provide a necessity for the preservation of land.

In many of the forests within Denmark there are large lakes. Within these lakes, Danes are able to swim, exercise, play and boat. This recreational use of the lakes encourages a healthy lifestyle, which in turn, makes Danes more happy and healthy. Ecologically, Denmark’s lakes also aid in making the area more diverse. While sitting by the lake, a variety of birds were seen flying around the lakes, and other small animals could also be seen (i.e. fish, insects). The ecological diversity of the lake also brings more diversity to the forests as well. Since all animals need water to survive, lakes and forests, when they work together, bring a wide variety of biodiversity to an area. Lakes also encourage tourism and bring visitors out into nature. Many people enjoy the use of lakes with friends and family, and they see it as a social place to meet up with others. This social aspect of the use of lakes goes hand in hand with the recreational uses, and the two together provide a place in nature to socialize, exercise, or relax among the natural beauty of the Danish greenspace.

By preserving the natural forests and lakes, and reducing the amount of deforestation to near zero, the benefits of doing so will only increase. In addition to the recreational, ecological and social benefits, lakes can also be used for drinking water if they are clean enough to drink. The Danish Forest Act of 2004 contributes to the cause to saving the forests, as its main points are to conserve and protect the forests, increase the area of forests, and promote sustainable management within the forests.