Development of Kuusijärvi

Objectives

The development of Kuusijärvi is one of the key projects for the strategy period 2022–2025 of the City of Vantaa. The attractiveness of Vantaa will be increased by developing Kuusijärvi into a gem of nature tourism and recreation, on the terms of the landscape and the carrying capacity of nature. The objective of the planning is to reconcile nature and new solutions and services with the increasing number of visitors and expanding recreational opportunities. The bicycle and pedestrian traffic bridge Sudentassu, which was completed in 2019, opened up new possibilities for recreation at Sipoonkorpi National Park.

Kuusijärvi is the most accessible all-year nature and recreation area in Southern Finland; it is a place where everyone can visit and relax. People visit Kuusijärvi to go to the sauna and for swimming as well as to enjoy nature and exercise in any and all seasons. Kuusijärvi lowers the threshold for getting out in nature. Kuusijärvi encourages people to experience nature independently and to make choices that support the well-being of both nature and themselves. The services support comprehensive well-being.

Actions

In the next few years, the City of Vantaa will be developing the Kuusijärvi nature and recreational area in many different ways. The service selection will be expanded from the busy summer season to other seasons. The events and experiences available in the area will be developed on the terms of the local nature. Hobby options will be improved with equipment rental and nature services.

A new accessible campfire area will be completed in 2023. The area can be accessed via an accessible nature trail. There will also be a new slope for sledging on the northern side of the beach. The old slope for sledging will be reforested. The new, more expansive parking area will be completed in its entirety in 2023. In the next few years, new rented premises, smoke saunas and campfire huts for grilling will be built in the area. The nature trails, signs and ways of getting to the area will be improved. A long-term objective is to build in the area a new sauna village and a building for a café, a restaurant and conference premises. The area will be developed in accordance with the Kuusijärvi general plan and the concept description of service development.

Cost estimate

The total cost of the Kuusijärvi project is about EUR 30 million (VAT 0%). For the buildings, the estimated cost is EUR 23 million and it includes things such as the costs of the new smoke saunas, campfire huts for grilling, support premises for entrepreneurs, sauna village as well as the café, restaurant and conference building. For the landscape construction, the estimated cost is EUR 7 million and it includes things such as the construction of the new parking area, the environment and vegetation, the beach, the improving the water quality and beach functions, the new slope for sledging and the construction of the campfire area. The plans will be implemented in phases, which means that the costs will be distributed over several years.