Espoo residents' parks offer fun activities even in the summer

This summer again, Espoo residents' parks offer barbecuing, flea markets, singing and rhyming, and just enjoying the sun and the summer. The parks invite families with children to just spend time together. Residents’ parks offer nice activities and time together also for schoolchildren.

The parks offer various guided and independent activities such as crafts. The handicraft themes include forest animals and, of course, exciting and lovely bugs. You’ll also find storytelling, dancing, painting and water games. Barbecuing is one of the favourite activities of all residents’ parks. Come and enjoy the residents' park in your area or visit a park in the neighbourhood!

In June, all residents’ parks in Espoo will be open and there’s a lot going on. Some of the parks start their summer break from Midsummer, and others are still open in the last week of June. You can check the opening hours of your park on the park's website.

In July, most of the parks will be closed and the activities concentrate on seven residents’ parks situated in different parts of Espoo. The residents’ parks of Kivenlahti, Perkkaa, Viherkallio, Suvela, Hiirisuo, Olari and Tapiola are open in July.

Also in the summer, the parks are mainly open between 8 am and 4 pm. While the activities are largely focused on the playground and being outside when the weather is good, indoor toilets and microwaves, for example, are available to customers. On Midsummer Eve, all residents’ parks in Espoo are closed.

You can spend the whole day in the park. So, why not bring your grandmother or godparent and neighbour and their kids with you! The park is also a great place for young schoolchildren to spend the summer.

At the end of the article, you can read more about some of the activities at the parks that are open the whole summer. You can find out more about the activities of the parks that are open only in June on their websites.

Residents' parks are free of charge, and you can join us at any time. No pre-registration is required. Staff is available, but remember that in residential parks, the guardians are responsible for their own children. This is why young children under school age can spend time at the park only with an adult.

Schoolchildren may enter the park independently with the permission and responsibility of the guardian. In this case, it’s a good idea to fill in a contact form for your child, which you can get from the park. The children are insured in the park, and the staff supervise play and, if necessary, assist in heating food.

Summer may be surprisingly sunny, and you should put sunscreen on at home before coming. A cap or scarf is also a good idea. It’s a good idea to write the child's name on the cap – in addition to bugs, the headwear may be flying or forgotten as something more interesting crops up.

You should leave your own toys at home because the parks have a wide range of different toys that are available to everyone. However, bring your own water bottle with you. On a hot day, you’ll get thirsty.

All residents’ parks have barbecue days weather permitting. Check the barbecue day on the residents' park website and bring your own snacks, barbecue items and dishes. The barbecuing is small-scale so that everyone gets a turn. Please, note that raw meat isn't allowed in the parks. Instead, cooked sausages, corn and other delicacies are permitted.

The programme varies from park to park. More detailed programme information is available on the website of each residents’ park.

The residents' parks also tell about their activities on their own social media channels. So, start following your local park's social media! You can find a list of all residents’ parks and links to their website here. Please, note that the summer season programme may change due to, for example, rainy weather.

Come and enjoy the summer in the residents' park. Good times guaranteed!

Perkkaa residents' park is open throughout the summer season. There’s so much to do: do you want to try making ladybugs, enjoy summer music, barbecue and dance? In the summer, we’ll have circus themed handicraft and modern circus. On 21 June, we’ll celebrate Midsummer by dancing and barbecuing. You can get to know the world of insects during story time, at bug gym and, of course, by singing bug songs.

Address: Majurinpolku 3, 02600 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Perkkaa residents’ park here. (in Finnish)

It's great to spend the summer at Hiirisuo residents’ park! The popular “blanket flea market” will be held on 9 June 2023. If it rains, we’ll go on the covered terrace. Sales spots are distributed in the order of arrival, no advance registration required.

The summer tour "Sirkus ikään kuin ikään” (circus for all ages) of the Race Horse Company circus group visits the park on 22 June. We’ll also be tuning T-shirts. On 1 July, there’s a garden party for the whole family. We’ll also sing and play music in the summer. On Fridays, we’ll fire up the barbecue.

Address: Pohjoisentie 1,02970 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Hiirisuo residents’ park here. (in Finnish)

The summer in Suvela residents’ park offers all kinds of things to do, nature-related activities, crafts and arts. You’ll get to enjoy fun music and exercise as well. The charcoal barbecue is hot on Fridays weather permitting.

The popular “blanket flea markets” of the park will be held on 16 June and 21 July, and the Midsummer Festival will be held on 22 June.

In July, in hot weather, water play channels are available for small children. In hot weather, we’ll organise a water war for schoolchildren, we’ll announce this separately. Follow the social media and website of the park.

Address: Kirstintie 24, 02760 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Suvela residents’ park here. (in Finnish)

Kivenlahti residents’ park's summer programme includes horse, car, trick and task tracks, image orientation and crafts. There are also wonderful babies' mornings, baby dance and baby music, and there’s also a toddlers’ music school. Schoolchildren have different games they can play.

In July, we’ll organise various workshops including jewellery, handicraft and cartoon workshops. In hot weather, there are water play areas for children in the courtyard. We fire up the barbecue daily.

Please, note: Kivenlahti residents’ park is closed on 9 June due to the staff evaluation and development day. The Midsummer Festival at Kivenlahti residents’ park will be held on 22 June.

Address: Merivirta 12 A,02320 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Kivenlahti residents’ park here. (in Finnish)

Tapiola residents’ park offers versatile activities for people of all ages in the summer. We organise guided activities daily: art workshops, singing games, exercise sessions, story time etc. There's also barbecuing! A more detailed summer season programme will be published on the park website, on the park window and in IG after 13 June.

Address: Louhenkuja 4,02130 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Tapiola residents’ park here. (in Finnish)

The happy summer of Olari residents' park includes story time, recycling week for children's clothes and toys (more information on the park's website closer to the event), park gymnastics, guided painting and a reading corner. Senioripaku (van for seniors) and the bookbus also visit the residents' park.

We fire up the barbecue on Fridays. Please, note: Olari residents’ park is closed on 9 June due to the staff evaluation and development day. We celebrate Midsummer in the park on 22 June with nice things to do.

Address: Meteorinkatu 7,02210 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Olari residents’ park here. (in Finnish)

Viherkallio residents' park welcomes you to enjoy the summer in the park! We’ll have good times and guided summer activities on different themes. In the park, you’ll get to work on crafts such as handicrafts and painting. We’ll also be dancing and singing. Let the swing and the rhythm take you!  

On Fridays, we fire up the barbecue in the morning if customers wish that. We’ll organise a Midsummer party for park guests on 22 June.

In the evenings and on weekends outside the park's opening hours, you can also head for the varying theme paths and task tracks in the yard on your own.

Address: Kievarinpolku 8, 02710 Espoo

Find out more about the summer programme in Viherkallio residents’ park here. (in Finnish)