The beginning of the 20th century returns to Lahti’s town hall park in the renovation - more durable varieties are preferred for decorative plantings

Renovation plans for Lahti City Hall’s parks are well advanced. The work will start next year. The original drawings have been lost. Among other things, old postcards have been examined in the survey work.

The parks in front of Lahti City Hall will be renovated in connection with the renovation of the building.

The park zone integral to the town hall is divided into two.

An old postcard from harjupuisto from 1914. The picture shows people of the era sitting on benches in the park and walking along the park corridors. Buildings in the background. — Postcard picture of Harjupuisto in 1914. The picture is from Sirpa Heiskanen’s private picture collection.

The park in front of the town hall was built after the completion of the town hall in 1912. The Harjupuisto park, located east of Rautatinkatu, has an earlier origin, from 1905.

The renovation is done on the basis of the park’s historical survey. Old photos and postcards have been used as help.

A woman with dark and short hair, researcher Riitta Niskanen, close-up. In the picture, Niskas wears red glasses and a flower-themed jewelry on the bosom of her yellow dress. In the background you can see trees, a statue and the town hall covered in white. — Researcher Riitta Niskanen knows the history of Lahti parks. Among other things, he has written a book on the subject.

The goal is to bring the park zone closer to its historical original state. In the renovation, the parks are widened and, for example, lightness is created in the statue plantings.

The park furniture is being lightened, the current ones are a heavier series Central European model.

The stormwater system will be renewed. Environmental aspects are also taken into account in plant selection and lighting. In decorative plantings, more durable varieties and historical composition are preferred.