Public Outdoor Gym in Helsinki Park

Katri Vala Park, located in Helsinki’s Sörnäinen district, was underutilized and lacking modern outdoor recreation facilities. The existing playground and fitness areas were outdated, limiting opportunities for active citizens and community engagement. The park required a modern, inclusive, and multifunctional urban green space that could support diverse outdoor activities, encourage active lifestyles, and serve as a safe, accessible, and attractive public space. The challenge was to create a well-designed urban park that supports local recreational activity and meets contemporary standards for public use.

The City of Helsinki implemented a comprehensive park renewal, transforming Katri Vala Park into a versatile, inclusive, and multifunctional urban green space that exemplifies effective placemaking.

• A new outdoor exercise area featuring Omnigym outdoor gym equipment, designed for residents of all ages and fitness levels, supporting active city strategies and public health goals
• Renewed seating, pathways, and vegetation to create a safe, visually appealing environment that encourages community engagement and social cohesion
• Improved recreational zones for both organized and spontaneous outdoor activities, reflecting best practices in municipal park planning, inclusive urban design, and placemaking
• An upgraded playground, including Finland’s tallest climbing structure, enhancing family-friendly recreational design

This renewal demonstrates a successful municipal investment in public outdoor infrastructure, providing a model for city planners, landscape architects, and local authorities across Europe seeking to create active, inclusive, and engaging urban spaces. EU surveys indicate that nearly 50% of Europeans prefer engaging in physical activity in public parks or other outdoor environments.

Katri Vala Park in Helsinki is a historically established public park that has recently undergone a comprehensive renewal to become a more pleasant, peaceful, and versatile urban green space. The renovation includes a new outdoor exercise area featuring Omnigym outdoor gym equipment, alongside a redesigned playground, seating, greenery, ping pong tables, and multifunctional recreational zones. These upgrades aim to enhance the park’s appeal for local residents, encouraging active lifestyles, community engagement, and outdoor activity for seniors, families, and everyday visitors in the neighborhood. The project demonstrates successful urban placemaking and inclusive park design, providing a model for municipalities and city planners seeking to create modern, functional, and community-focused public spaces.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Helsinki’s Omnigym outdoor gyms, residents have requested additional neighborhood outdoor gyms through the Omastadi initiative. Located near urban green and blue spaces, these gyms are easily accessible by walking or cycling, promoting physical activity and active lifestyles. The city aims to ensure that every resident can reach an outdoor gym within a 15-minute bike ride and eventually within walking distance, making outdoor training accessible to all. Helsinki’s citywide Omnigym outdoor gym network is impressive and provides a model for other European active cities.

Squat: Squats train multiple muscle groups simultaneously, primarily in the lower body.
Multi lift: The Multi lift strengthens your lower body, quads, glutes and trapezius.
Low Row: Low Row is an exercise that trains the upper and middle back and biceps muscles.
Front Press: Front press is an exercise that trains the shoulders, biceps, forearms, and triceps.
Bench Press: Bench press is an exercise that trains the chest muscles, triceps, and shoulders.
Lat Pulldown: The Lat Pulldown helps to strengthen your back muscles, improving posture.