Playground visits are an essential part of the summer for many families in Helsinki. Playground meals have brought children and adults together for more than 80 years, and memories of them carry from one generation to the next.
On a June day, the Mellunmäki playground, now known as Pöllöpuisto – Owl Park – has attracted guests from three generations: the grandmother, Airi Salonen, reminisces about the 1990s, when she shared the playground meals with her own children. Her daughter, Satu Turula, now brings her own two-year-old, Kerttu, to the playground meals. Grandmother Airi also often comes to the park with Kerttu.
When Airi’s children were young, her shift work allowed her to come to the playground meals on her days off in the middle of the week. She has especially fond memories of the theme days arranged at the park, which could include programme and barbecues. When Satu thinks about her childhood, she remembers the food and the games they used to play, but also a large rock that they used to climb on and a paddling pool that was the best thing ever on hot days. Kerttu would also like to splash in that same pool today.
“Bringing Kerttu to a park that is familiar to me from my own childhood feels meaningful and nostalgic,” Satu says, describing her own feelings on the matter.
Many things have changed in the past 30 years, but the need for this service has certainly not decreased. The free-of-charge playground meals are very important to many families in Helsinki. While schools are closed, school pupils can get their lunch at a playground, making life a little easier for families, both in terms of time and finances. The park also offers children some company and guided activities and allows the parents of younger children to meet up with their peers.
Satu can still remember the summer days she used to spend at the playground with her brother while her parents were at work. It was easy to go to the park, as it was so close to their home, and the food was familiar. The meals she remembers well were some of the big hits of the 90s, like Italian casserole ground beef and spaghetti stew and different risottos, and the ice creams they bought from the corner store for dessert.
Italian casserole was on the menu even then, and it was pretty good!
The same meal is served today. Italian casserole is one of the best-liked playground meals.
“Tastes just as good as 30 years ago, no complaints here! But if I remember correctly, it had more peas then,” Satu assesses.
Kerttu boldly gives the dish a try, but soon makes her opinion clear: “Not good!” Older children eating by the same table encourage Kerttu to give the food another chance by telling her that the casserole is actually their favourite food. They leave to queue for a second helping as soon as the line is clear.
Similar to school and daycare meals, playground meals allow children and teens to try different foods and ingredients that may not be familiar to them.
“There are more vegetarian meals than in my own childhood, and that’s a great thing. I think they could have even more vegetarian foods, as they are suitable for almost everyone. One of Kerttu’s favourite foods is actually vegetable soup,” Satu says.
