Summery Kirjurinluoto Invites You to Explore the Area’s Diverse Services
Known as the central park of Pori, Kirjurinluoto offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor activities and summer recreation. The traffic park Vinkkari, which provides both fun and educational experiences for children, opens its gates today, Tuesday. Kirjurinluoto’s familiar animal residents are also returning to their summer homes in the coming days. Starting mid-June, lifeguard services will once again be available at Kirjurinluoto’s beach, just like last summer.
In Traffic Park Vinkkari, children learn important traffic rules through play by driving various vehicles such as pedal cars and bicycles. Aimed at children aged 4–10, the park features a miniature road complete with real traffic signs and lights. Driving sessions last for 30 minutes and rotate on the hour and half-hour. The sessions are free of charge but very popular, so it’s recommended to pick up a driving pass immediately upon arrival at Kirjuri.
Vinkkari is open from June 3 to August 3, Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 18:00 and on weekends from 11:00 to 14:00. The park is closed on Midsummer and during the Porispere weekend (Friday and Saturday). From August through September, Vinkkari is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 15:00, and during the Pori Day weekend from 11:00 to 16:00.
While waiting for a driving turn, kids can explore Pelle Hermanni Playground’s popular pirate ship or enjoy the accessible musical play area. The three-hectare playground features a vast number of play zones, slides, and climbing structures for children of all ages.
– Familiar summer animals are also returning to the animal enclosures this week, as alpacas, goats, and birds settle into Kirjuri on Tuesday and Wednesday. City animal caretakers are responsible for feeding and cleaning. Visitors are welcome to pet and feed the alpacas and goats with dandelions or grass, but giving ice cream or other treats is strictly prohibited, reminds Park Gardener Minna Murtomäki.
A lifeguard will be on duty at Kirjurinluoto Beach from June 15 to August 15 every day from 12:00 to 14:30 and from 14:50 to 18:00. The beach is located along the strongly flowing Kokemäenjoki River, and the riverbed may shift due to currents. Therefore, swimmers must stay within the buoy-marked swimming area for their safety.Alongside play and relaxation, Kirjurinluoto offers a fantastic setting for outdoor activities and enjoying nature in its lush national urban park. For example, the popular Polsanluoto Trail runs through a natural setting partly along boardwalks, and includes a hand-operated ferry. Flower lovers can admire the blooming Hanhipuisto Garden, which showcases trees, shrubs, and flowering plants that thrive in the Satakunta region.
Kirjurinluoto Offers a Vibrant Summer of Events
Summer’s major events bring life to Kirjurinluoto from the last weekend of June through the end of August. The season kicks off with the Aito Iskelmä Festival on June 27–28, followed by Pori Jazz’s main concerts on July 17–19. At the end of July, Kirvatsin Jytä rocks the park on July 30, immediately followed by Porispere on August 1–2 and the family favorite Minispere on August 3. The season concludes with Pori’s Venetian Festival on August 29–30.
Summer theatre is also active from June through September. Performances at Kirjurinluoto Summer Theatre begin with the play Nelinpeli from June 10 to July 8, and Annis Summer Theatre will stage the Lapualaisooppera from August 15 to 28. The summer theatres also serve as venues for performances during Pori Jazz and Porispere.
– Kirjurinluoto’s summer is full of amazing activities, and the area continues to develop. Construction of a new sauna building is underway on the beach near Raumansilta Bridge. The area is a construction site, so it’s important to move around with caution. Implementation of the camping area master plan next to Kirjurinluoto Arena is progressing in stages; this summer includes turfing work. Additionally, some of the Pelle Hermanni Playground equipment will be undergoing maintenance, which may cause temporary restrictions, says Brand and Partnership Manager Tiina Lehtonen.