Parks [City of Tampere]

Tampere is a green city of lakes and ridges. A fifth of the city's surface area is composed of green areas, and these include not only constructed parks but also forests and open areas.

150 years of parks in Tampere

Tampere has a wide range of parks, from forests to basketball courts. This year we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the parks. In 1874, Karl Johan Gauffin was chosen as the first gardener in the city of Tampere, and this is considered to be the beginning of Tampere's parks.

From buffers against fire to shared living rooms for citizens

Colourful tulips with a wooden bridge in the background.

Showing locations: 15

Emil Aaltonen Park is named after vuorineuvos and industrial leader Emil Aaltonen. The park, located opposite Tammelantori Square, was completed in 1914 and, together with Tammelantori, is the most significant public space in its district.

The northern end of the park area is dominated by a fountain which was built in 1969 in honour of Emil Aaltonen's 100th birthday.

Address:

Aaltosenkatu 26

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/emil-aaltonen-park

Heinäpuisto Park is located in central Tampere, close to Pyynikintori Square. The park borders on Ilomäentie to the west, Pirkankatu St to the north, Heinätori parking area to the east and Heinätori St to the south.

The central part of the park is dominated by diverse ornamental grasses and small trees that flower in the spring. The ornamental grasses also include flowering perennials and bulbs plants, ensuring that the park’s vegetation creates a unique atmosphere all year round. At the heart of the park is a large wooden platform that serves as a shared rest and recreation area.

Broad, stone-built terrain steps descend from the western part of the park down to the eastern part. On the western edge of the park, there are two flat areas covered with fine gravel that are suitable for playing petanque. A lit corridor for light traffic runs through the park as an extention of Kisakentänkatu, connecting eventually with Pirkankatu.

Address:

Heinätori

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/heinapuisto-park

The western side of Tampere city centre is divided in two by Hämeenpuisto Park, which was built in the early 20th century as the northern Näsinpuisto Park and the southern Eteläpuisto Park. Together, these parks form a single green area that runs from Näsijärvi to Pyhäjärvi.

Address:

Hämeenpuisto

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/hameenpuisto-park

Kirjailijanpuisto Park is located in Vuores, in the district of Virolainen. The park is located between Frans Emil St and Taaatanaukio and is bordered in the east-west direction by pedestrian and bicycle routes.

The vegetation of Kirjailijanpuisto Park changes with the seasons. Flowering starts early in the spring with flower bulbs and ends with the perennial fireworks of late summer and the splendour of late autumn shrubs and hay. This ecological area, which is managed according to natural rhythms, provides a habitat for insects and butterflies as well as food for birds. There are also interesting things to look at in the planting area all year round, as the plants are left there over winter.

The diverse perennial area is bordered by an undulating art wall designed by sculptor Pertti Kukkonen. The wall and the sculptured rest and recreation area are made of coloured, precast concrete units. The surface of the wall and the floor of the rest and recreation area have verses of Tampere poets inscribed in them. These verses reinforce the name of the park itself and the theme of literature. The streets in the nearby area have also been named after Nobel Prize-winning authors.

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/kirjailijanpuisto-park

Together with Koskipuisto Park and the factory buildings, Kirjastonpuisto Park is part of the national landscape of Tammerkoski Rapids. The park is located right in the heart of the city centre, in the area between Keskustori and Tammerkoski Rapids, opposite Koskipuisto Park.

Address:

The area between Keskustori and Tammerkoski

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/kirjastonpuisto-park

Located in the centre of Tammerkoski, Koskipuisto Park was built as part of the renovation of the Kyttälä district in the late 19th century. Koskipuisto Park and Kirjastonpuisto Park, which is on the other side of the rapids, form the overall landscape ensemble together with the industrial plants and public buildings located on the banks of the rapids.

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/koskipuisto-park

Näsinpuisto Park is located between the northern end of Hämeenpuisto Park and Lake Näsijärvi. The park borders the Ostrobothnia–Pori railway to the north, and Paasikivenkatu St runs along the shore. To the west of the park is Mustalahti Harbour.

Address:

Näsijärvenkatu

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/nasinpuisto-park

On the eastern part of Koskipuisto Park is the Pikku Kakkonen playground, which is popular with children. The playground is Tampere's most famous playground, and its central theme is the familiar characters from Pikku Kakkonen.

Address:

Pellavatehtaankatu 17

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/leisure-and-hobbies/playgrounds/pikku-kakkonen-playground

Pyynikki Church Park includes the landscaped garden around the fountain in front of Alexander Church as well as the old, park-like cemetery. The park is located in the city centre just west of Hämeenkatu and Hämeenpuisto Park.

Address:

Pirkankatu

Website:

www.tampere.fi/en/nature-and-environment/parks/pyynikki-church-park

Park types

Tampere green areas can be sorted into different types based on their purpose of use and natural characteristics:

The central parks are relatively small, high-quality green areas intended primarily for rest and recreation. Their central location means that they are important for the urban landscape, so they require high-quality construction and maintenance. These parks include Koskipuisto Park, Kirjastonpuisto Park and Hämeenpuisto Park.

Local parks are functional parks that are reserved for play, rest and recreation and are connected to nearby housing. Local parks are located in population centres within walking distance of housing areas. The smallest local parks are usually constructed parks, but the larger ones have natural areas.

District parks are activity-focused parks that are intended for residents’ daily use and are more extensive than local parks. These parks usually contain both constructed and natural parts. The constructed areas include various functional green services, such as playgrounds, fields and courts for ball sports and other sports, and recreational routes. The district parks include Isolammenpuisto Park in Kaukajärvi and Atalanpuisto Park in Atala.

Regional parks are large recreational areas that are mostly natural and are located between urban districts. They are the core areas of the local ecological network, and they include areas reserved for outdoor recreation, physical training and sports, including sports fields and courts, local sports facilities and allotments. The regional parks include Pyynikki, Kauppi and the shores of Lake Iidesjärvi.

The routes located in green areas are important green services. Depending on the surrounding terrain and purpose, the routes are either corridors or lightly constructed paths. These various park corridors, outdoor recreation routes, and pedestrian and bicycle routes form a comprehensive network of recreational routes throughout the city.

Parks

150 years of parks in Tampere

Parks

Emil Aaltonen Park Expand Collapse

Hatanpää Arboretum Expand Collapse

Heinäpuisto park Expand Collapse

Hämeenpuisto Park Expand Collapse

Kirjailijanpuisto Park Expand Collapse

Kirjastonpuisto Park Expand Collapse

Koskipuisto Park Expand Collapse

Näsinpuisto Park Expand Collapse

Pikku Kakkonen Playground Expand Collapse

Pyynikki Church Park Expand Collapse

Park types

What kind of parks can you find in Tampere? Expand Collapse

See also