The renovation of Hesperia Park has begun – Invasive species are being removed

The renovation of the park began in October 2026. The park will be refurbished in two phases. The restoration of the waterfront areas has now started.
Henkilö pyöräilee vehreässä puistossa.
Hesperianpuiston peruskorjaus alkaa lokakuussa 2026 ranta-alueiden ja viereisten reittien kunnostuksella. Photo: Teina Ryynänen

Latest updates

Invasive species to be removed and construction area fenced off

  • Harmful invasive species, such as rugosa rose, will be removed from the Töölönlahti shore area this week. This will allow the natural vegetation to flourish better.
  • The shore-side terrace at Restaurant Fat Lizard will be dismantled.
  • Fencing of the construction area will begin from the north in the Vauhtitie and Linnunlauluntie area. The pedestrian walkway will remain open but will narrow slightly.

Renovation of Hesperia Park to divert cycle traffic to Mannerheimintie

Walking and jogging:

  • The footpaths around Töölönlahti will remain, but the routes in Hesperia Park will change and move further away from the shore. The paths will be narrowed in a few places.
  • The shoreline path at the head of Töölönlahti will remain open to walkers and joggers, but its width will be reduced. The path will be widened as the work progresses.

Cycling traffic:

  • Cyclists will be diverted to the one-way cycle lanes on Mannerheimintie. When approaching from the south, cyclist should turn onto Mannerheimintie at Töölönlahdenkatu or just before Musiikkitalo.
  • When approaching from the north, the route runs along the north side of Helsinginkatu to the Opera junction and from there onto the one-way cycle path on the west side of Mannerheimintie.

Area around Töölönlahti to be renovated bit by bit

In the Töölönlahti area, the renewal of the street Karamzininranta and the renovation of Hesperia Park are currently underway. The renovation of Karamzininranta next to Finlandia Hall is due to be completed in the summer of 2027.

The renovation of Hesperia Park will be carried out in two phases. The phase that began this October involves the renovation of the park’s shoreline areas. The renovation will continue until the end of 2027. After that, the remainder of Hesperia Park will be renovated as part of a second project, which has been tentatively scheduled to begin in 2028. Part of Hakasalmi Park will also be renovated in the context of the same project.

The contractor is Louhintahiekka Oy.

Renovation Hesperia Park in Töölönlahti to begin

Work to renovate the waterfront areas and the adjacent paths will begin in October. This stage will be completed by the end of 2027.

The next stage of the project, which is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2028, will involve the renovation of the rest of the park, including the lawns and the playground, as well as part of the adjacent Hakasalmi Park.

Waterfront path to be dedicated to leisurely walks and jogging

The route around Töölönlahti Bay will be renovated, and the waterfront areas will be reserved for pedestrians and joggers, as the two-way cycle path running through the park will be moved further away from the water. The change affects the western side of Töölönlahti Bay. New planting areas and a few new trees will be added between the cycle path and the footpath.

Damaged shore to be repaired and more beach vegetation planted

Vegetation cover will be returned to areas of the Töölönlahti Bay shoreline damaged by erosion. The existing vegetation-covered shores will be preserved, and new vegetation will be planted in areas where erosion has worn away at the shores.

More trees to be planted in the park

Most of the old trees in the park will be preserved. The condition of the old willow trees on the waterfront ares will be monitored, and branches from trees in poor condition will be pruned for safety reasons.

11 trees will be removed in the park renovation project starting in October. The necessary tree felling will be carried out to address safety risks and route changes and to repair erosion damage.

A large number of new trees will be planted. Following the renovation work, the number of trees in Hesperia Park will increase from around 600 to around 750 – an increase of approximately 150 trees.

The park’s vegetation will also be complemented by the familiar perennial flowering plants found in the Töölönlahti Summer Park.

Construction to begin in October – changes to routes

The park renovation will alter cycling and walking routes in Hesperia Park and Töölönlahti Bay. Initially, cycle traffic will be diverted to the cycle lanes on Mannerheimintie. The waterfront path in the northern part of Töölönlahti Bay will be closed, and cyclists and pedestrians will be diverted to Helsinginkatu for the remainder of 2026. The City will provide further details on the changes to the routes later.

The contractor is Louhintahiekka Oy.

Area around Töölönlahti Bay to be gradually renovated to its new glory

The park renovation project starting this autumn will continue until the end of 2027. After that, the remainder of Hesperia Park will be renovated as part of a second project, which has been tentatively scheduled to begin in 2028. Part of Hakasalmi Park will also be renovated in the context of the same project.

The park plan for the nearby Töölönlahti Park is due to be finalised in autumn 2026, and it has been provisionally estimated that the associated changes could be implemented in stages from 2028 onwards.

The renovation of Karamzininranta next to Finlandia Hall is due to be completed in the summer of 2027.