Pori National Urban Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Pori National Urban Park, located in the town of Pori, Finland, was established in May 2002[1][2] and is part of the NUP network[3]. NUPs (National Urban Parks) are integrated urban spaces that span across several areas[4]. Pori NUP is recognised as being of national importance with a valuable local natural and cultural environment. The most prominent monuments are the industrial buildings on the north bank of the Kokemäenjoki, the Neo-gothic Central church of Pori, and the Junnelius palace, a neo-Renaissance building which is currently used as the City Hall. The National Urban Park also contains the Pori bridge; the Old Courthouse; "stone Pori", a collection of stone buildings; the Juselius Mausoleum, and Kirjurinluoto island, where the Pori Jazz Festival takes place[5].
The Pori National Urban Park forms a single green corridor traversing the city from the Kokemäenjoki river delta, through the city center to the Isomäki open-air sports complex, on to the countryside surrounding the town. The park juxtaposes built-up sections of the city, natural parks, play areas, and elements of cultural landscape.[6]
History
The Pori National Urban Park was established on the 6th of May 2002. It is meant to designate a coherent space of valuable parks, green spaces and cultural environments in Pori, stretching directly from the city centre to the sea and the forest.[7] The area distinguishes itself by the remnants of the villa community of early twentieth-century workers "summer homes". An example of an English-style park, Kirjurinluoto, which has been the recreational area for Pori people for over a century. In 1996, a beach was added, along with the Pelle Hermanni children’s playground. Kirjurinluoto has been the site of the Pori Jazz festival since 1966. The park complex is being expanded towards the Kirjurinluoto Arena, on Raatimiehenluoto. Kirjurinluoto is connected to the city center by the pontoon bridge Taavi. The Pormestari bridge, completed in the summer of 2001, connects Kirjurinluoto to the Pormestarinluoto and Isosanta districts of Pori[citation needed].
Presence of nature
The Kokemäenjoki river flows through the middle of the Pori National Urban Park, and from its northern side, the river flows out towards the sea into the widest river delta of the Nordic countries. The riverbank groves reach right up to the town centre, whose crisscross boulevards are known for providing a nesting place for rooks. To the south, the urban park is connected directly with the surrounding countryside.
The islands are known for their captive bird populations, including peacocks, different species of pheasants, collared turtle-doves, as well as wild species[citation needed].
Industrial history of the North bank
Industrialization gave rise to a heritage of buildings along the riverbank, which have been well preserved. The north bank of the Kokemäenjoki is dominated by the redbrick building of the cotton mill. Large-scale industry has, however, partly given way after the period of industrialization, to make room for a thriving center of excellence, containing the university center of Pori[citation needed].
Eteläranta
The stone buildings on the south bank of the river Kokemäenjoki, with their administrative buildings and the boulevards that dissect the center, tell of numerous fires in the city and of the set of values of that time. "Kivi-Pori" (stone Pori), built in the spirit of the neo-renaissance, is a cultural environment of national significance[citation needed].