MAAHERRAN PUISTO (GOVERNOR’S PARK)

The new 1,9 hectare Maaherran Puisto (Governor’s Park) has been completed at Viikki. The form language of the park – located between Viikintie, Pihlajamäentie, Viikinkaari and Pasteurinkatu – is in a class by itself. Working in co-operation with the Finnish Association of Landscape Architects MARK, the City of Helsinki, Senate Properties and the University of Helsinki organised an invited design competition in 2002; landscape architect Soile Heikkinen’s Galleriat (“Galleries”) was the winning entry.

In terms of its starting points, the park design was a challenging task: portions of the site were taken up with a restaurant operating at Viikki Manor, idle fields, an old road bed and railway embankments. Busy traffic thoroughfares border the park and Viikki’s most important shopping centre is directly adjacent. Besides functioning as an educational and recreational area for students, university personnel and local residents, the park is also an important route for transverse pass-through traffic.

The historically valuable Viikki Latokartano estate dates back from the 1500’s. The estate has now been skilfully joined to the modern world of the science park. The old stone wall bordering the yard areas in the east and north has been extended along the entire edge facing Pihlajanmäentie, helping to define the park as a separate entity in a changing environment.

The park is divided into two sections: the grounds of the Viikki Manor and the more modern park section in the south. At their junction the main pedestrian and cycle path crosses through the park. Along the path are small plazas where park-goers can stop to relax. Various events can also be arranged in the plazas. Viewed from afar the park is clearly defined; once inside its rich internal world opens.

Impressive tree-lined “galleries” dominate the southern section of the park. The fan-like positioning of the galleries opens the park’s views southwards to Viikki’s expansive landscape. The galleries’ green walls recall the tree-lined paths often found at country manors.

The three galleries form room-like exhibition spaces containing the University’s sample gardens. A trimmed spruce hedge encloses the Rose Gallery; the University’s rose garden collections feature 32 varieties of roses. Tall upright European aspens frame the sheltered Aspen Gallery where visitors can view perennials and purple fountain grasses. Nine different shrub species adorn the Maple Gallery edged by maple lanes. Park-goers move through the shrub groups along wooden walkways. There one can see common ninebark and Dart’s gold ninebark, panicle hydrangea, red chokeberry, spindle tree, dropmore belle honeysuckle, Japanese azalea, southern bush honeysuckle and black stem dogwood.

Within the Maple Gallery there is also Valioyksilöt, a fascinating work of art by the artist Veikko Björk. The work consists of steel plinths supporting acrylic cubes inlayed with laminated hologram images exposed from statues of prize cows that were made during the early 1900s. The images appear in the passer-by’s field of vision as if from out of nowhere and again disappear. The cow theme suits the park; cows are just as much a part of Viikki’s present as its past. The images are best seen in dim light when they are also lit.

The plants in the galleries have been grouped in patches, with each patch containing a single plant species or variety. Plant species have been selected in co-operation with the University to form educationally relevant sample gardens; these are also open to the general public, supplementing the nearby specimen gardens in Gardenia’s outdoor areas.

Between the galleries are lawns where park visitors can have picnics or sit on benches. During the spring, rows of bulbous flowers bring colour to the grass areas.
Lamp posts light the park’s main transverse path. When the galleries’ living walls have grown, the intent will be to light them from within; in the overall landscape they will appear as inviting indoor spaces glittering with light.

The manor’s historical yard area awaits implementation; its treatment has been carefully considered in the design. The structure of the yard milieu will be clarified, the original floral compositions will be restored and trees in poor condition will be replaced. Floral groups featuring old perennial varieties will enhance the landscaping of the main building and old residence. New fruit gardens planted on the eastern and western sides of the main building will also recall the past. A majestic old oak standing at the main building’s southeastern corner will shelter the restaurant’s summer terrace.

Maaherran puisto’s living galleries bring an interesting addition to the diverse spectrum of Helsinki’s parks while creating a splendid oasis for the residents of Viikki.

The park’s opening ceremonies will be held on Friday, 14 November at 16:15 to coincide with the conclusion of Green Year 2008. The Forces of Light event will turn the park into a light show for a week. Deputy Mayor Pekka Sauri will speak at the park’s opening ceremonies, after which the park’s designers will present the park to the public. Warm juice and ginger biscuits will be served.