Sorsapuisto Park (Duck Park)
The park was built around a pond that originated from a clear water spring as part of an employment programme during the recession years of the 1930s. The name of the park derives from the Sorsalampi duck pond, to which the city started bringing water birds such as ducks, geese and swans from 1939 onwards.
The popularity of the park was further increased by Finland's first children's traffic park, which opened in 1956 and was later relocated to Kaleva.
Location on map
The birds of Sorsapuisto Park
The summer birds of Sorsapuisto Park have delighted visitors for over 80 years. From May to autumn, the birds live in cages on the west side of Sorsalampi Pond. The birds of Sorsapuisto Park are mostly fowl.
Weather permitting, the birds remained in Sorsapuisto Park through the early autumn.
Plants and sculptures
Water lilies and wetland plants have been planted in Sorsalampi Pond. In the rest and recreation area next to the jetty, there are also flowering perennials. Along Yliopistonkatu, a cherry tree park has been planted together with small trees that bloom on the slope next to Viinikankatu St. In recent years, Sorsalampi Pond has been treated with aluminium chloride in order to precipitate the eutrophying phosphorus.
The park has three sculptures by Viktor Jansson, which are all lit up at night, and the park is also home to Väinö Rickhard Rautalin's sculpture ‘The Dancing Girl’. The pond’s fountain is also illuminated.