The closeness of Central Park, the Mall of Tripla, fantastic train and bus connections in every direction, an excellent library, a big playground for children and only a short distance to the Mäkelänrinne Swimming Centre – Justis Vivolin is not sure where to start listing the good things about Pasila in Helsinki. The Messukeskus exhibition and conference centre is also located nearby.

“Pasila has developed a great deal in the 14 years I’ve lived here. And clearly in a good direction.”

Transport links are high on Vivolin’s list.

“Thanks to Pasila’s good public transport links, I gave up my car a little over a year ago. Many of my friends live along the rail line and I only need to take a direct bus to Viikki to visit my mum. If the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control and we are able to travel further away some day, the local train can take me directly to the airport almost from my front door, and I won’t even need to take that many steps outside.”

Vivolin does not need a car for commuting, either: he works at one of Tripla’s office buildings. His workstation is on the 16th floor, although he has mostly been working from home lately.

Vivolin praises Tripla’s services for being so comprehensive that he has not needed to visit the Helsinki city centre for a while.

“We just bought a pair of winter boots for one of my daughters. It was easy to find a pair we liked, and there was no need to go looking further afield.”

Vivolin has two children, daughters aged 11 and 13, who have lived in Pasila for their entire lives.

“The big Playground Sanna near our home in West Pasila has been an important place to us, and we have spent a lot of time there. At the playground’s annual spring celebration, we have eaten snacks, looked at how fire engines and street sweepers work and watched all kinds of performances. In the summer, the playground has a pool for children to swim in, and our kids have enjoyed it very much.”

Central Park, which is just around the corner, has been an important place for both the family’s daughters and Vivolin himself.

“There are good opportunities for outdoor activities for both children and adults. Visiting the forest in Central Park is a very enjoyable experience, even though many people may think that forests and Pasila have nothing to do with each other. Some of my favourite moments are when the girls spot horses while we are walking down Central Park’s paths.”

The everyday life of the Vivolin family also includes frequent visits to the excellent Pasila Library and the Mäkelänrinne Swimming Centre.

Is there anything that Pasila doesn’t have?

“Well, if I had to ask for something, I guess I would like it if the weather was better. Last year’s snowless winter was rather dreary, and it would be nice to have more sunny days in the summer, but those are pretty much the only wishes for improvement I have for Pasila.”