Vaasanpuistikko ( Swedish: Vasaskvären, unofficial name Vaasanaukio), meaning " Vaasa park", is an area in Helsinki, Finland, surrounded by the streets of Helsinginkatu, Vaasanpolku and Pengerpolku around the western entrance to the Sörnäinen metro station, near the so-called Sörnäinen curve. Even though Vaasanpuistikko is located in the neighbourhood of Alppiharju, it is commonly thought of as a part of Kallio. Vaasanpuistikko is connected with Vaasankatu.
Around Vaasanpuistikko are located the Sörnäinen metro station, a pawn shop, a self-defense school, a gym, a driving school and an S-market shop. There are numerous bars, pizzerias and other restaurants located nearby.
Helsinki city council member Kimmo Helistö made a proposal in 2007 to rename the square as "Arto Mellerin aukio" after the poet Arto Melleri, but the proposal was not supported. [1]
Vaasanpuistikko is sometimes humorously referred to with the nicknames "Piritori" ("Amphetamine square") and "Ikuisen vapun aukio" ("Square of the eternal Walpurgis Night"). [1] [2] [3] As of 2022, there have been concerns about increasing substance abuse and restlessness on the square and on the streets nearby. [4]
References
- ^ a b Kurvin aktiivit aikovat rauhoittaa Ikuisen vapun aukion, Helsingin Sanomat 13 April 2007. Accessed on 23 June 2014.
- ^ Puukkobulevardi päättyy Piritorille. Helsingin Sanomat, 6. August 2010. Sanoma News.
- ^ Koivisto, Janne: Palautusastioihin jätetty jo yli 200 huumeruiskua, Hs.fi 18 August 2013. Sanoma Media Finland. Accessed on 23 June 2014.
- ^ "HS Helsinki | "Pienikin tökkäys ja nyrkit on esillä" – Piritorin remontti puski levottomuudet yhteen tiettyyn pisteeseen, jossa ohikulkijoiden pitää olla tarkkana". Helsingin Sanomat. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
External links
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Media related to
Vaasanpuistikko (Helsinki) at Wikimedia Commons - City council proposal to improve the area of Vaasanpuistikko and the Sörnäinen metro station, archived on 22 April 2012
- Yle Elävä Arkisto: Ikuisen vapun Piritori
