The pulse park
Kildebjerg Ry is a rapidly growing and very popular busi- ness and residential area for families, mainly because of the beautiful surrounding countryside that lends itself to a wide variety of outdoor activities. Since the commu- nity wished to expand this attractive system of leisure and sports facilities, CEBRA was asked to design a series of ac- cessible, inclusive and innovative activity zones - each aim- ing at a different type of activity.
The aim of the project was to create optimal conditions for physical activity, which invite users of all ages to exercise, play or just hang out and relax. At the same time, the zones were laid out to form an integral part of the landscape, the area’s additional leisure activities and the residential area itself. The Pulse Park design is based on a user involve- ment process, which included residents, sports clubs and local companies and resulted in three distinctive zones with individual identities and functions.
The Play Zone invites to both play and physical exercise in a forest of different functions that relate to organised as well as freestyle activities. This forest is made up from three concentric circles. The centre is primarily for play, climbing and exercise in large tree-like elements. The in- termediate circle is for outdoor fitness and offers a series of primitive versions of well-known training devices. The outermost circle consists of a recreational zone for social activities and gives room for meeting, relaxing, picnicking etc. close to a fire place.
People of all ages can visit this forest right next to the lo- cal gym to either climb, swing, jump, balance or train with weights. There are several continuous obstacle courses through the trees to challenge the users on different skill and intensity levels.
The Pulse Zone is a literal bulge on the existing paths as it prompts horizontal movement and primarily addresses runners, skaters, BMX and mountain bikers, who use the network of tracks around Kildebjerg Ry for exercise. The Pulse Zone is surrounded by a mountain bike and BMX track. Its asphalt surface flows into the zone’s centre area in the form of hills, bulges and bowls that incite to obsta- cle races and artistic exercises.
The tracks surround a series of circular bowls for both run- ners and bikers. These bowls can also be used by runners, who can challenge themselves with gravity as an alterna- tive training partner. A centrally placed bulge is made from steps with different gradients - ideal as both stair master for pulse training and resting area. The zone includes sev- eral levels of difficulty and thus appeals to all ages and skill levels.
The third zone complements these active zones and pro- vides a more contemplative space: The Zen Zone is all about relaxation and activating all your senses. The zone is located between two ‘fingers’ of Kildebjerg Ry’s built-up area, with an upcoming business park on one side and a res- idential area on the other. The zone itself provides a green and quiet environment partly shielded under trellises and is placed on an artificial island in a small lake, which sup- ports its meditative purpose and relaxing atmosphere.
The island is shaped like a hill from a grid structure that creates an interior space for activities like yoga, Pilates and meditation as well as informal surroundings for a busi- ness meeting. In this small secluded oasis all senses are stimulated. Individual themes around the lake each focus on one of the senses, while the central Zen Zone represents all five senses. Different type of plants, which appeal to different senses, are planted around the lake and on the island structure so that they over time will form a sensory garden that changes the sensory perception as you move through the zone.
