Park of senses Škofljica by Kreativni krajobrazi

Park of senses Škofljica – Park for Ecological Harmony

Transforming a once-degraded marsh meadow into a vibrant, multifunctional landscape, Park of senses Škofljica embodies the core values of contemporary landscape architecture – ecological restoration, social inclusion, and the celebration of local identity. The project harmoniously integrates people, animals, and plants by drawing on local traditions, prioritizing native species, and employing nature-based planting strategies that enhance genetic, species, and habitat diversity. Through careful site analysis and a deep understanding of the area’s ecological context, the design strengthens existing habitats, creates new ecological niches, and supports resilient, interconnected ecosystems.
The park is thoughtfully organized into a series of thematic zones, each tailored to the needs of different user groups and designed to serve educational and experiential purposes. These zones foster environmental awareness, encourage stewardship, and promote appreciation for coexistence and nature-centric living. By integrating ecological corridors and supporting a mosaic of habitats, the park functions as a dynamic, healthy cell within the Ljubljana Marsh, contributing to regional biodiversity and ecosystem services while reconnecting people with the rhythms of the natural world.
Rooted in the principles of natural simplicity and creative collaboration, the design embraces change and encourages intergenerational cooperation. It creates a space where history and present-day life are meaningfully connected, and where natural and cultivated elements are thoughtfully balanced. This approach ensures the park is not only aesthetically pleasing and highly usable, but also deeply integrated with its natural and cultural surroundings, supporting the long-term resilience of both people and nature.

Park of senses Škofljica invites visitors to explore its rich mosaic of thematic “islands,” each offering unique opportunities for engagement with nature, culture, and community:
1. Lime Grove: A lively social hub for events, gatherings, and market exchanges, framed by seasonal plant displays and meadows of rosehip and cornflower that encourage exploration and discovery.
2. Sensory Park: Designed for sensory play and intergenerational co-creation, this zone is attuned to seasonal changes and fosters inclusive, hands-on learning.
3. Meadow Orchard: Celebrates native fruit species and serves as a living classroom, preserving traditional knowledge and supporting biodiversity through the conservation of local cultivars.
4. Pile-Dweller Path: Offers a contemplative journey along the area’s historical heritage, with benches and pathways evoking ancient pile-dwelling settlements and fostering reflection on the region’s cultural landscape.
5. Natural Garden: Functions as an outdoor classroom, showcasing rare and endangered wet meadow flowers, and inviting observation of natural processes and ecological interactions.
6. Pile-Dweller Pier: Provides a viewing platform surrounded by swaying grasses, offering indirect contact with water and recalling original ways of living in harmony with the marsh.
7. Flower Culinary Garden: Blends beauty and utility, allowing visitors to relax among blooming flowers and meditative pods while tasting edible flowers used in local cuisine.
8. Trail Track: Features wooden stumps, encouraging playful movement, curiosity, and a fairy-tale atmosphere.
9. Beach Area: Floating benches among grasses create tranquil spots for direct contact with water, shaded by weeping willows.
10. Flowering Meadow: An open grassy expanse, mown late in the season to allow wildflowers to set seed, with restricted access to protect its delicate ecosystem and support pollinators.
11. Bee Island: Dedicated to honey plants, this area serves as a haven for bees and birds, enhancing pollinator habitats and supporting urban biodiversity.
12. Duck Island: A minimally managed natural refuge for ducks and birds, this zone supports local wildlife with minimal human intervention.
Throughout the park, wooden piles serve as a unifying spatial motif, recalling the region’s pile-dweller heritage while functioning as information points, signposts, and communication pillars. Together, these thematic islands create a park that is both a sanctuary for biodiversity and a vibrant, inclusive space for people-interweaving history, ecological health, and community in the heart of the Ljubljana Marsh.
This version emphasizes ecological and social connectivity, biodiversity, and the principles of landscape architecture, while remaining clear and engaging for a broad audience.

Park Škofljica – where landscapes connect, and life flourishes in harmony with nature.

• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:
Kreativni krajobrazi d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia

• All architecture offices involved in the design:
Atelje Izba, Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Other credits:
Freelance landscape designer Ljuba Južnič

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