The much-awaited traffic park and pump track opens soon

The traffic park is a 640-metre-long track where users move around in pedal cars, on bicycles or on foot. Along the track are 12 stunningly accurate scale models of buildings familiar to everyone living in Vaasa.

– Onkilahti Traffic Park is like Vaasa in miniature. The park features scale models of the Town Hall, the water tower and the railway station, among others. You’ll also find the Market Square, a roundabout, traffic lights, level crossings and a petrol station, just like in a real city, says Jarmo Latvala, Service Manager.

The traffic park has 36 pedal cars, a few bicycles and even a Lifti bus.

– Construction of the traffic park has been in full swing throughout the year. We are confident that children and adults alike will enjoy it, says Latvala.

Pump away on bikes, scooters and boards

The pump track next to the traffic park is intended for scooters, BMX bikes and skateboards. The total area of the pump track is 1000 m2.

The pump track is a neighbourhood sports area consisting of mounds, curves and combinations of mounds enabling jumps, all adapted to the terrain. The speed needed to progress on the track is achieved by ”pumping” with the whole body using the mounds and bends.

– The long-awaited pump track is a great addition to the Onkilahti Park area. It also helps to reduce congestion in the skate park as some users can now move to the pump track. Onkilahti Park is a great place to spend time with a wide range of activities. There is something to do for everyone, from toddlers to seniors, says Mika Lehtonen, Director of Sports Services.

Opening ceremony with scooter jam and scooting show

The opening ceremony will also feature a show by professional scooter riders and a scooting competition for young people led by scooter star Helmeri Pirinen. Hundreds of visitors are expected to attend the opening event, weather permitting.

– Our aim is to give everyone the chance to test the pump track and do at least one lap in a pedal car. We recommend that everyone brings their own helmet. It’s also worth coming just to enjoy the atmosphere and the spectacular scooter tricks, Latvala notes.

One of the finest traffic parks in Finland

The traffic park has been created in partnership with businesses and residents in the area. Companies, associations and communities were able to contribute to the creation of the park by either having a building or a car named after them or having their name engraved on a plaque.

– The goal was to make this one of the finest traffic parks in Finland, and we certainly succeeded in that. The two-year project has been a major undertaking for Public Utility Services and has required good cooperation between many teams, both on the traffic park and on the pump track. I would like to thank everyone involved for their tremendous work. A big thank you also to all our sponsors and partners, says Jukka Talvi, Director of Municipal Engineering.

LähiTapiola Pohjanmaa has been involved in enabling the construction of the traffic park and pump track as part of its wider commitment to promoting traffic safety in Ostrobothnia.

– The traffic park is a great example of a project that makes the city more welcoming and promotes road safety at the same time. The park allows children to develop their traffic skills through play and fun, making learning a positive experience. It is very important for us to be involved in projects like this, which increase road safety in our region, says Joel Sunabacka, Managing Director of LähiTapiola Pohjanmaa.

Both the pump track and the traffic park are free of charge. This year, the traffic park will be open at least until the end of September. Next summer, the plan is to have the park open from May to September-October.

The traffic park is fenced, and the area is monitored around the clock by several surveillance cameras.

Event details:

• Place: Onkilahti Activity Park, Järvikatu 9
• Date and time: Thursday 29 August at 17–20

Programme:

• Opening speech (Kai Luoma) and speech from LähiTapiola Pohjanmaa (Joel Sunabacka)
• Helmeri Pirinen talks about the pump track
• Guided tour of the traffic park
• Scooter and skateboard jam organised by Finscooter from 17.30-19.30
  • A performance by professional scooter riders, featuring five of Finland’s best professional riders: Helmeri Pirinen, Antti ”Av Moose” Hirvi, Mika Jäävalo, Kert Ounapuu and Oiva Lehtonen
  • Finscooter x Vaasa Scooter Best Trick competition for young people
  • Meet ‘n’ Greet with professional scooter riders
  • Note! The scooter show and race are weather permitting: if it rains heavily, only the Meet ‘n’ Greet will be held.
• On-site, there will also be equipment displays by the police, fire department, and rescue services, Project Liv’s ambulance, the youth services’ mobile unit Nuoli, and an information point for the “Puddle – Culture weeks for children”
  event organized by the cultural and library services.
• The event will be hosted by Hippi Hovi
• Juice, biscuits, coffee and sausages to the first 1,000 visitors courtesy of the City of Vaasa

The event is open to all and free of charge. Parking is limited, so we recommend walking or cycling to the park.

Photos