Mustikkamaa island is a popular outdoor recreational area near Kalasatama, Kulosaari and Korkeasaari. The number of visitors to the area will increase when the residential area of Kalasatama and the Crown Bridges tramway line with its bridges are completed. A plan is being prepared to guide the development of Mustikkamaa’s general appearance, routes and services in a sustainable manner.
Slight changes to routes
The opinions of residents were collected as a basis for the planning of Mustikkamaa last spring. In the feedback, the respondents hoped both to maintain the current nature of the island and to improve the services. One of the problems highlighted was that the seaside trail and the street Mustikkamaanpolku tend to become congested in places.
According to the draft plan, cycling and pedestrian routes will be made clearer in the future by means of signs. In order to improve traffic safety, Mustikkamaanpolku will be widened in places, its asphalt lane will be narrowed, and space will be built on the roadsides for pedestrians. Pedestrians can also continue to use the asphalt lane.
The seaside trail, on the other hand, will be widened at points where the pedestrian route crosses the ski track. In addition, the ski track will be rerouted in the eastern part of the island. This way, the skiing and walking routes can be more clearly separated from each other and walking around the island will also be possible in winter.
Changes in the routes will require the removal of individual trees along the way. However, no significant changes in vegetation are planned, and the plan does not propose any changes to nature management in the area.
The draft plan also proposes the creation of a clearer forest route for pedestrians. The forest route would be implemented by covering some of the forest paths in the area with wood chips or other natural materials and duckboards. The route would be about one metre wide and would be located in the middle of the island. The path would be equipped with small guide signs, for example.
Resting areas and seaside services
The draft plan proposes that the city should place barbecue areas, tables and seats, recreational piers, new benches and waste bins along the most popular routes. A small gathering place with benches has been sketched for the eastern end of Isoisänsilta bridge, and a place for a new toilet has been marked near it. New bike racks have been planned for the north side of the sports park and the beach.
In addition to services provided by the city, the plan has taken into account wishes for the development of commercial services. In the southern part of the island, locations have been proposed for a possible new water bus pier, sauna and restaurant company, swimming pier and winter swimming place. In future, it would also be possible to develop the old kiosk building to be suitable for summer café use.
Plans are to be implemented in stages
The planners aim to have the Mustikkamaa management and development plan completed at the turn of 2022 and 2023. Its approval will be decided by the Urban Environment Committee.
An approved plan does not yet guarantee the implementation of the measures, but their financing and more detailed planning will be decided separately as part of the city’s annual budgeting. The realisation of commercial services is the most uncertain, since establishing a sauna and restaurant company in the area would require the construction of municipal infrastructure, for which even no preliminary plans have been made.
The draft of the Mustikkamaa management and development plan can be commented on in the Voice Your Opinion(Link leads to external service) service until Sunday, 25 September 2022. The survey is in Finnish.
The article was published on 5 September and updated on 15 September.