Liseberg Garden – a blossoming new addition to the amusement park

Liseberg will be several shades greener in 2016 when the Liseberg Gardens project is completed. The initiative is part of Gothenburg Green World 2016 and right now it means a lot of extra work in the amusement park. Everything should be ready by 23 April for the official start of the summer season and the opening of Liseberg Gardens.

New walks, beautiful gardens and green spaces will turn the hillside and the path leading up it into a colourful, unfolding experience. It is also a big undertaking. In total the gardens cover an area of 6,250 square metres, of which 1,900 square metres will be planted. The site covers the entire hill – from the hillside near the Tyrolen restaurant right up to the former sites of the Ferris Wheel, Höjdskräcken and Uppskjutet.

– The project has presented many challenges but has absolutely been worth the effort. The garden will be a wonderful part of Liseberg that we will be able to enjoy for many years to come, says Jessica Thorbjörnsson, construction project manager for Liseberg Garden.

Liseberg Gardens is part of the park’s long-term plans to improve and reinvigorate the park. It involves removing tired asphalt surfaces and creating more green spaces in their place. It is also about making it easier for the park’s guests to get up the hill and enjoy the new experiences that await them there.

At present the project centres on creating three new green spaces. The path up the hillside, a Victorian Garden that will be laid out where the Ferris Wheel and Höjdskräcken previously stood, and a Poison Garden that will be situated next to the Waltzer.

The new path is a key element in the project. There are only a few footpaths up the hill today, and the path that runs alongside the FlumeRide is the only one in the south of the park. A new garden area with an alpine feel will be created here, linking the path with the area by the Tyrolen restaurant.

The new path is a key element in the project. There are only a few footpaths up the hill today, and the path that runs alongside the FlumeRide is the only one in the south of the park. “The path will wind its way up the hill like a serpentine trail,” says Jessica Thorbjörnsson.

– We have followed the contours and topography of the hill as far as possible.  The path will wind its way up the hill like a serpentine trail. Along the way there will be a variety of garden experiences and seating areas, where you can rest your legs for a while and enjoy the surroundings, says Jessica Thorbjörnsson.

Near the top of the hill, guests will be greeted by a garden inspired by the Victorian era, as well as a playground and new attractions. There will also be a picnic area where Liseberg has re-used logs from trees that were felled during the construction of Helix. These trees have now returned to the hillside where they originally grew and will provide benches for picnics and relief for weary feet.

Liseberg is keen to re-use as many materials as possible in this project. Rocks and logs removed during the construction of Helix in 2014 will provide seating in the picnic area and support for planted areas.

The Poison Garden is intended to be a dramatic space with a slightly spooky feel.

– Some of the plants will be locked in wrought iron cages to reinforce the sense of danger. This will be a walk that really appeals to inquisitive children, says Jessica Thorbjörnsson. I love gardens, so I’m really pleased that we are investing in our gardens for 2016. Thanks to this project we will have an even greener park in the future and I think all our guests will enjoy it.