The themed playground has been designed and implemented together with children's author Linda Liukas and landscape architectural agency Näkymä Oy, and is known to be the world’s first computer-themed playground. At the playground, children get to explore the world of computers and programming and can learn to write their names in binary numbers, for example.
The playground has been created in the form of an experiential learning environment, which can also be utilised by playground instructors and teachers visiting the playground. The highlight of the playground is the colourful and themed special play equipment made by the award-winning play equipment manufacturer Monstrum. The playground is their first play equipment design project in Finland.
"It is exciting to design a playground for children for whom play means a computer game world instead of a sandbox. Ruoholahti playground offers something new for the new generation. In the digital world, children are users, but at the playground they are creators. The playground creates memories and helps children see the world of computers as approachable. “I am inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, in which the environment is seen as a third educator alongside parents and teachers. I hope that the playground will become an equal place to learn about technology through play,” Liukas says.
The renovation of the playground in Ruoholahti also involved renewing the playground’s plantings as well as fencing and lighting. Particular attention has been paid to the changing seasons in the park lighting. Special play equipment has its own spotlights and the entrance is easy to find thanks to the gobo lighting reflected on ground. During September, some grass areas are protected by construction site barriers, which are removed by the beginning of October.
The playground’s new plantings have increased the diversity of plant species, and at the same time, the playground has received much-needed shading for play areas. The playground also has a new diversity and pollinator-themed educational planting area with information boards.
The accessible and diverse playground was created together
The playground has been designed in close cooperation with pedagogical experts. The playground’s users, children in the area and education employees have also been consulted in the playground’s design.
As in the design of all playgrounds in Helsinki, accessibility and peaceful places for those who need them have been taken into account in Ruoholahti. The starting point is to offer something for everyone.
The first themed playground of its kind
Helsinki has a comprehensive playground network, which is to be supplemented by developing the existing playgrounds and building more themed playgrounds or play areas around the city. Ruoholahti’s computer-themed playground is the first of these. The planning takes place in cooperation with the division, listening to the users.
When selecting playground locations, good transport connections or location in an urban renewal area, regional centre or city district park, for example, are taken into account. The theme of the playground can come from the surrounding area, as in Ruoholahti, where there are many ICT companies. The theme can also be related to culture or playground functionalities.
The city’s play and game areas are renovated approximately once every 15 years.
The opening of the Ruoholahti playground will take place on 1 October
The playground will be officially opened on Tuesday 1 October 2024. There will be festive speeches, music and playful tasks for children with the new playground equipment.
Activities at the new playground will continue as usual. There are professional instructors as well as a variety of activities at the playground on weekdays.
Chief playground instructor Tiina Mesiniemi is eagerly awaiting new players.
“We are happy to welcome small and even bigger players from near and far to play at the renewed Ruoholahti playground. Playfulness and play are our main themes in planning the activities. It’s wonderful that our built play environment is colourful, playful and attractive at all times of the year. As a new function, we will also try guided play tours for groups at this playground, which means that daycare centres and schools can reserve their own play time and become acquainted with the playground and its pedagogy."
