Nature and the environment

In Jyväskylä, closeness to nature is combined with the rhythm of the city. You can live peacefully in the wild, near a densely populated area or the centre with a fascinating lake view, or right in the heart of the city – still near the green recreational areas.

Jyväskylä also provides good opportunities for nature-oriented leisure housing, as there are 4,000 summer cabins within the boundaries of the city.

Harju Ridge

Jyväskylä’s city centre is between Jyväsjärvi and Harju. There is a viewpoint and a restaurant at Harju. Harju Ridge is a popular green area in the centre of the city. Landmark of the area, Steps of the Harju Ridge, are a sight whether flanked by array of flowers in the summer of illuminated for the City of Light –event.

Harju area features also Vesilinna –water tower, Natural History Mu-seum of Central Finland, a sports stadium, a summer theatre and a network of footpaths

Parks

Jyväskylä has about one hundred parks which are available for everyone free of charge. The “Jyväskylän pyöräily- & puistokartta 2007” map deals with the parks of Jyväskylä. The map is available for sale in the Hannikainen service location (Hannikaisenkatu 17) and the Jyväskylä Region Tourist Office (Nikolainkulma, Asemakatu 6). There are playgrounds and locations for children all around the city.

The city’s largest park is Kirkkopuisto that surrounds the City Church in the centre of town. It has recently been refurbished and the lighting has been renewed.

Family parks

There are four family parks in Jyväskylä, with good playgrounds for kids: climbing frames, swings and sandboxes. The parks also have guided activities for children and families with children. The parks are free to enter.
The family parks are located as follows:

– The Mäki-Matti family park is situated in the city centre at Oikokatu 7.
– The Pupuhuhta family park is located at the address Vemmelsääri 1.
– The Yrttisuo family park is situated in Kuokkala, at Kekkolantie 18.
– The Mansikkapuisto family park is located in Kangaslampi, at Mansikkakuja 1.

The Viitaniemi traffic park

In the Viitaniemi traffic park (on Eeronkatu), children can ride their own bicycles and, during the official opening hours of the park in summer, also drive pedal cars. For more information about the traffic park, contact the Hannikainen service location, tel. (014) 266 0108, e-mail: palvelupiste.hannikainen[at]jkl.fi

Sport parks and ice rinks

There are all together 11 sports parks in the city where an ice rink can be found during the winter. At Viitaniemi, there is a large ice rink that serves speed skaters and bandy players. The ice rink is also excellent for normal public skating. More information: www.jyvaskylanseutu.fi/kannat/latuinfo

Lake Jyväsjärvi shore route

The Rantaraitti route for bicycle and pedestrian traffic travels the shores of Lake Jyväsjärvi. The Rantaraitti is a beautiful and practical activity area. On the Rantaraitti, it is safe to move on foot, on a bicycle, or rollerblades, as there are few car crossings. Thanks to the bridges, you can conveniently choose the route length you prefer. The Rantaraitti also provides a fluent route from various parts of the city to the city centre. The total length of the shores of Lake Jyväsjärvi is about 14 kilometres.

Laajavuori outdoor recreation area

Laajavuori outdoor recreation area and winter sports centre can be found immediately close to the city centre. The network of cross-country skiing tracks is vast in Jyväskylä. There are over 200km of maintained cross-country skiing tracks and at Laajavuori alone, there are 62,5km of them. There is 33km of cross-country skiing track that is lit in Jyväskylä. Tracks usually start from one of the sports parks. More information: www.laajavuori.com

Nature paths and ski tracks

The city has plenty of nature paths, exercise tracks and paths, ski tracks and other outdoor activity opportunities.

More information (in Finnish):
http://www.jyvaskyla.fi/ymparisto/ymparistonsuojelupalvelut/luontopolutjalintutornit
http://www.jyvaskyla.fi/liikunta/ulkoilu_ja_virkistys

Moving around in the wild

In Finnish nature, pursuant to the public rights access, you can freely move around on foot, skis, or a bicycle, with some restrictions. According to the public rights access, you are also allowed to, for example, pick berries and mushrooms in nature. The public rights access also applies to foreigners. You need to obtain a permit from the land owner to light an open fire.

More information about the public rights access in English: www.environment.fi/everymansright*

Environment department of the city

Nature is an important, but vulnerable, part of the Finnish way of life, which means that we must take good care of it. In Jyväskylä, monitoring related to environmental protection and nature conservation is carried out by the city’s environment department.

Authority tasks of the environment department are to monitor compliance with the Waste Act, carry out permit and control tasks pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act, perform certain tasks pursuant to the Water Act, Water Services Act, and the acts related to cross-country and water-borne traffic, as well as carry out permit and monitoring tasks pursuant to the Land Extraction Act. Further practical tasks deal with the fields of air protection, nature conservation, and noise prevention.

The environment department’s other work methods for promoting environmental protection include planning and development, monitoring the condition of the environment, reports and studies, counselling and guidance, issuing statements, proposals and initiatives as well as communication, and promoting co-operation.

Besides these environmental protection tasks, the environment department produces laboratory services and is in charge of the maintenance of the city’s environment system.

Tel. (014) 266 5167
Fax (014) 266 5168

Opening hours:
Mon–Thu from 8 am to 4 pm
Fri from 8 am to 3:30 pm

Street/postal address:
City of Jyväskylä / Environment Department
Eeronkatu 10
40720 Jyväskylä