Uusikaupunki’s Playground Network Under Review – Respond to the Survey by March 8

A map-based survey on Uusikaupunki’s playground network is now open. The survey will be available from February 23 to March 8, 2026.

Uusikaupunki has a comprehensive playground network consisting of around thirty playgrounds of varying sizes and standards, ranging from small sites with just a few pieces of equipment to the city’s largest playground complex at Leijonapuisto. Playgrounds are an important part of everyday life for children and families and contribute significantly to the comfort and vitality of residential areas. In addition, the City maintains playground yards at schools and daycare centres.

The playground network is currently being reviewed as a whole from the perspectives of maintenance and long-term planning. Available resources require prioritisation, and as part of the review it is proposed that some playgrounds be decommissioned and fully dismantled. The following sites are proposed for removal: Lunnikuja, Viklakuja, Suulakuja, Ankkakuja, Rouskupolku, Pietolanlahti and Koivulehto in Kalanti.

Any decommissioning would be carried out systematically and site by site over the coming years, for example when a playground would otherwise be due for extensive renovation. The future use of each area would be assessed separately. Sites may, for instance, be landscaped as green areas, incorporated into nearby woodland, or developed into general recreational spaces.

Playgrounds Are Subject to Extensive Regulations

Outdoor playgrounds must comply with European safety standards. These requirements apply to playground equipment, safety surfacing and structures. When equipment reaches the end of its service life, it must be replaced or removed. The average lifespan of playground equipment is approximately 15–20 years.

When a playground undergoes full renovation, costs typically range from around €40,000 to several hundred thousand euros, depending on the size and scope of the site. In addition, maintenance, inspections, cleaning and repairs resulting from possible vandalism generate ongoing expenses, even for smaller playgrounds.

The City aims to build an overall understanding of which playgrounds residents consider most important and how limited resources should be allocated in the future.

Have Your Say

In the survey, you can:

• evaluate the current state of the playground network
• express your views on the proposed sites for removal
• mark on the map the playgrounds you use most frequently
• describe which features you consider most important

Although the survey is comprehensive, you may also respond only to the sections you find most relevant. In particular, responses to the map section are highly encouraged, as it allows you to provide more detailed input on specific playgrounds.

Mapping Other Play and Gathering Places

The survey also maps other public areas used by children and families for play, such as nearby forests, beaches and parks, through a map-based question. In addition, it gathers information on places where young people like to spend time, helping to form a broader picture of how urban spaces are used in everyday life.

The survey is open until March 8, 2026.

The survey forms part of the preparation of the playground network plan, and the results will be used to support further planning and decision-making.