Mannerheiminpuisto – Mannerheim Park
Mannerheiminpuisto is a park the size of an entire block located in the City Centre. The park is bordered by Koulukatu, Puutarhakatu, Puistokatu, and Rauhankatu. The park was named after C.G.E. Mannerheim and a statue representing Mannerheim is located there. The statue of Mannerheim is a bronze bust designed by sculptor Veikko Leppänen and architect Aarne Ehojoki. The statue was unveiled in 1994, fifty years after Mannerheim was elected president. Opposite the statue and next to the park is St Michael’s Church. Mannerheiminpuisto, together with St Michael’s Church and the Port Arthur wooden house block, belong to the National Board of Antiquities’ nationally significant constructed cultural environments.
The planting of Mannerheiminpuisto started in the beginning of the 20th century and it was divided into two types of areas, just like many other parks built during that period: squares reserved for play and exercise, and plantings and lawns. A repair plan for the park was finished in 2012.