“Copenhill is an example of community engagement, sustainable energy (which is profitable), private investment and public goods wrapped into one facility; why is this such a foreign concept to us in America?”
I’m pretty sure Copenhill was my favorite part of Copenhagen, I just couldn’t believe that such a place existed! Getting to watch skiers race down from 85 meters up, nearly tasting the clouds with every turn. From atop you could always hear children squealing in excitement as they climbed monkey bars and raced around the wildflowers. Just sitting at the top looking down at the city below was such a joy, not to mention the view alone was breathtaking.
I think this is such a foreign concept in America because we’re not used to seeing such well kept public spaces. Parks are public goods, and as such have the capacity to become negatively affected by the public. I know at home most of our local parks are covered in graffiti and trash, often marked as “sketchy areas” by the adults in our lives. The playground equipment is often rusted or splintered and likely two decades old. It’s also strange to me to see private corporations taking steps towards positive change in the communities they’re located in. The architecture of Copenhill was designed intentionally to reflect the needs of the people. Most private corporations in America seem to have very strict goals in mind, almost never in service of free services/public goods.
Carson Thorpe 