Hatsinanpuisto is a new, diverse public urban park that brings nature into the urban environment. Located in Espoo, a city part of the greater Helsinki metropolitan area. The park is situated close to Leppävaara train station and is bordered by busy roads and the railway. Leppävaara District is home to nearly 80 000 people and a daily commute of more than 50 000. The area is crossed by Monikonpuro, a small creek of local value. The creek is a valuable trout habitat and a highly flood-prone urban stream.

The plan highlights contrasts between natural and urban and blurs the boundaries between them. The concept highlights the dynamics of urban environment and nature: an area that had previously been an “in-between space” is transformed into a pleasant park where nature and urban structure meet and merge. The park significantly increases the recreational possibilities of the area.

Flowing water is the central element of the design. The landscape architecture of the park is influenced by water level fluctuations and supports the dynamic cycle of nature. The design is based on the Monikonpuro creek as the attraction and backbone of the area, with the aim of supporting the biodiversity of the water body and protecting the trout population. Paths, trails and bridges provide places to experience the park at different times of the year and at different water levels.

The floodplains have been designed to remain dry in the event of regular flooding. From a technical point of view, the main design challenges are ensuring the stability of the stream area. The creek bed has been moved in stages during the different construction phases to protect the water quality and build the new final bed at the same time. In the final design, during a major flood most of the park is submerged. High retaining walls bordering the building plots support and protect them from flooding. The walls are integrated into the landscape architecture of the park with connecting seating platforms. They invite people to socialize and lounge by the water, even at times of flood.

The vegetation along the creek is designed with flood sensitivity in mind: planting design is made to cope with changing climate, such as drier and hotter summers and possible flooding of the river. A group of maple trees are preserved on the west side of the park. The plantings are natural, sprawling and supportive of biodiversity. Appropriate plant selection for the site maintains the lushness and inviting character even in the face of harsh changes in conditions. The colour scheme of the vegetation forms part of the overall look of the park, with a bold choice of darker and more colourful flowering species.

Along with designing the park and giving new life to the area, the creek is improved to provide better habitat conditions for trout. The design is carried out in collaboration with stakeholders and experts in the fields of stream biology and trout habitat. The downstream is built to mimic a natural one. Natural and larger boulders are installed to support trout spawning. Natural stones are also placed as boulders under the bridge in areas where vegetation has no chance of thriving.

The park provides a diverse, seasonally changing environment attracting people, animals and other species: There have been multiple sightings of trout fry and even an otter has found its new home by the creek. The park has received positive feedback from its users and has become a popular place to stay and meet. Hatsinanpuisto also received the Environmental Structure of the Year 2024 recognition in Finland and has gained wide interest in the field nationally as well as internationally.

• Other credits:
City of Espoo (client, project manager Kristina Rocha), Ramboll Finland Ltd (communal, bridge, structural and geo engineering in the 1st phase and the relocation of the creek and lighting design), Suomen Energia-Urakointi Ltd (general lighting design), AINS Group Ltd (drainage, bridge, structural and geo engineering in the 2nd phase), WSP Finland Ltd (informational signs and guideposts) APRT Architects Ltd (architectural design of the land-use plan), C&J Architects Ltd (architectural design of OOPS Hatsinanpuisto), NCC (developer of OOPS Hatsinanpuisto), VRJ Group Ltd (park and green contractor), Skanska Infra Ltd (infra contractor)

Photo credits:

Loci Landscape Architects: Construction_Photo (1), Flood Diagrams (1)-(2), Photo (1)-(4), Section (1)-(3), Plan
Maite Gonzalez Laurens: Photo (5)-(19), Main_Photo

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5Q4tKQkkNYZxjM8o9