Bjerkedalen Park is located in the urban district of Bjerke in Oslo. The Hovin brook has been reopened after fifty years underground, and runs through the park from north to south. At the southern end the brook forms a pond, perfect for swimming on warm summer days.
A terraced pavilion with an amphitheatre forms a natural meeting place in the middle of the park, with an adjacent football field. Double benches are placed along the central, wide promenade. Red granite from Røyken has been used for the promenade echoes the brick façades of the apartment buildings.
18 000 sq. m. of meadows and lawns create green spaces, where 50 000 perennials have been planted in large beds – flowery shadows of the surrounding housing blocks.
The Park Bridges
By Hans Jørgen Bøye, SWECO
Four new bridges across the Hovin brook, signature elements of the park, make the whole park universally accessible. Straight span timber bridges were used in order to reduce the height and adapt the bridges to the surrounding landscape.
The main structure consists of glu-lam timber girders, with railings of galvanized steel. The spans vary from 6.3 to 11.9 metres.
Lighting in the Park
By Are Røysamb, LJOS
The lighting in Bjerkedalen Park enhances the landscape architecture, its planted areas and the functions of the different zones. The main path at the bottom of the park is lit with LED fixtures mounted five metres off the ground at 25 metre intervals. Warm, white light increases visibility and helps visitors feel safe.
The biological life of the park has also been considered in the lighting design. All unnecessary lighting has been removed; there is no effect lighting in the small waterfalls or ponds or under the bridges.
Park Pavilion
By Filter Arkitekter AS, architects for the pavilion
The pavilion is integrated into the terrain, with a large westward-facing amphitheatre with a view of the Hovin creek and the different park activities. The building houses a café with outdoor seating, which can be rented for public use after opening hours. There are also plans to rent out ice skates and other gear. The wooden amphitheatre has solid, non-skid decking. In time, the wooden materials of the deck will develop a natural grey patina. The exterior walls of the café are made of dark-stained wood, and the interior and exterior floors are concrete.
The New Groruddalen Parks
By Sidsel Andersen, architect and project manager for Bjerke Urban District
For ten years the Norwegian government and Oslo municipality have collaborated to improve the living conditions for the residents of Groruddalen. As part of this project, each of the four urban districts in the area will get its own park. One of them is Bjerkedalen Park, which opened on 11 October 2013. The site has been in use since the first residential buildings were finished in the early 1960s, and has served a number of purposes for the locals. The area is changing quickly, and has a diverse population of different cultural backgrounds. The residents have wished to maintain a simplicity that allows for a wide range of activities.