DOME presents: Kokonniemi People’s Park – Memories and Future

Are you familiar with the Kokonniemi People’s Park? Do you spend time there, pass by it on your jogging route, or have special memories of the park?

We will revisit the history of the People’s Park and explore its vegetation and urban nature. The event will also feature a presentation of the park’s restoration plan, which is currently in the draft phase.

The restoration plan will be further developed together with the residents. During the workshop, participants can share their memories of the park, bring old photographs, and express their hopes for the future of the park. The collected material will be used in the preparation of the restoration plan.

Program 11:00–12:00
• Brass music, dance, and atmosphere – glimpses of Kokonniemi People’s Park history. Hannele Tenhovuori, Porvoo Museum.
• Meadow flowers and cultural plants – results of the 2024 vegetation survey in the People’s Park. Leena Lindén, University of Helsinki.
• The urban nature of the People’s Park. Tommi Laakkonen, City of Porvoo.
• Presentation of the restoration plan draft and introduction to the residents’ workshop. Anne Rihtniemi-Rauh, City of Porvoo.

Workshop 12:00–13:30
Drop by and join the discussion! Share your memories of the Kokonniemi People’s Park or present your wishes for its future. How do you remember the park? Have you attended events there, had picnics, or do you recall the old dance pavilion? How do you think the park should be used in the future?

Topics for discussion:
• Old photographs from residents. Do you have pictures of Kokonniemi People’s Park? Bring them along, and we’ll look at them together.
• Memories from the past. What events do you remember from the park? Let’s collect these stories.
• Future aspirations. How would you like to develop the park? What activities should take place there?
• Presentation of the draft restoration plan. Welcome to discuss and give feedback!

Do you have photos of Kokonniemi People’s Park?
You can bring photos to the event or send them in advance to Anne Rihtniemi-Rauh via email: anne.rihtniemi-rauh@porvoo.fi. You can also bring them by May 20 to Porvoo Info, Lundinkatu 8. Paper photos will be scanned and may be displayed during the event. Please remember to provide your contact details and information about the photos (what they depict, people in the photo, photographer’s name, and date).

At the brainstorming session, experts from the City of Porvoo, including those specializing in urban planning, city infrastructure, and cultural services, will be present. The collected information will be used in the restoration plan for the People’s Park.

The event celebrates the 15th anniversary of Porvoo’s National Urban Park, established in 2010, and is organized by the City of Porvoo in collaboration with Porvoo Museum.

Image: Volunteer Fire Brigade Festival in Kokonniemi, 1969. JOKA Journalistic Picture Archive, Borgåbladet. Finnish Heritage Agency, Finna.fi.