The Neighbourhood Programme of the Kaukajärvi and Annala districts is being implemented with a resident-centered approach. The residents of the area have been involved in the development work throughout the project.
The development of Kaukajärvi and Annala is based on the vision of "Live like in a small town", created together with residents and actors. Residents' ideas for the development of the area have been gathered through Neighbourhood Programme’s surveys, resident events, and workshops.
This year, many improvements and activities requested by residents will be implemented. There will be concrete enhancements related to the amenity of the environment as well as communal activities. Some of the wishes will be realized through the Neighbourhood Programme.
Haihara Manor will soon welcome some eagerly awaited newcomers, namely summer sheep. The sheep coming to Haihara are the only ones south of the city, so they are expected to attract visitors from outside the area as well.
Sanna Ristaniemi, the coordinator of Haihara, talks about the new summer residents at the Manor.
– It's wonderful that we, as a city, can respond to the wishes of the residents. I hope the sheep can graze in peace and bring joy to passersby in the beautiful surroundings of Haihara. We are already looking for a sheep sponsor for next summer who would like to sponsor the sheep in the area.
In the Neighbourhood Programme’s survey, respondents particularly wished for more sports and leisure opportunities in Annala. In response to these wishes, a long-awaited artificial turf will be installed in August on the Karosenpuisto field in Annala to improve the quality of the field. During the installation of the artificial turf, it will be ensured that the place is sufficiently well-lit.
Sini Lempinen, the project planner for the Kaukajärvi and Annala Neighbourhood Programme, says that the news of the upcoming artificial turf brought joy to the children in the area.
– Residents have wished for artificial turf in Annala, and it's great that we are now getting one. I met the children of the area at the Talviturkinkastajaiset event, and the news of the new artificial turf in the area brought cheers.
A portable toilet, four new benches, and a frame-locking bike rack have been added to the popular Riihiniemi beach. A path has also been created for winter swimming. In Kaukajärvi, trees that threaten safety are felled and small trees are managed along the edges of paths. Additionally, the 225 boat parks around Riihiniemi are being cleaned and renovated, with consideration given to the bird nesting season in all maintenance work.
Lighting is being improved in a number of areas requested by residents, such as outdoor routes. In addition, a new path from the residential area in Annala to the ski trails will be lit. The need for additional lighting will be examined on pedestrian crossings near schools. The renovation of the outdoor routes from Kaukajärvi through Annala to Kisapirtti began last autumn with the tree felling. This year, in addition to lighting, the route surface and signage will be replaced. The benches in these areas have already been refurbished, and seats have been added in places requested by residents.
There are several sites in the area that are important for their natural values, and their maintenance has sparked discussions. In May, information boards were brought to Haiharanpuisto and Hikivuorenpuisto, which provide more details about the nature sites and their maintenance classifications. The information is hoped to raise awareness of the importance of diverse nature.
Residents have requested more art, environmental amenity, and communal activities in the area. This summer, professional artists will paint electrical distribution boxes and a few transformers. Some of the projects will be carried out together with the youth from Nova activities and the elderly from Kaukaharjukeskus. Additionally, the joint art project of the schools in Kaukajärvi and Annala will bring color to the streetscape and strengthen the sense of community among students.
During the summer, the art planting boxes created in collaboration with the City of Tampere's Cultural Education programme Taidekaari and the area's preschool groups will enhance the courtyards of the shopping centers in Kaukajärvi and Annala. The neighborhood work initiated in the area also promotes residents' wishes for a cleaner and safer local environment.
The final operational year of the Kaukajärvi and Annala Neighbourhood Programme is underway. Even after the project ends, the development of the area will continue, as Kaukajärvi and Annala are one of the target areas for Neighbourhood Development alongside Hervanta, Tesoma, Peltolammi, and Multisilta.
During the Neighbourhood Programme from 2023 to 2025, more than sixty development measures are being implemented in the area, which have been compiled into the Kaukajärvi and Annala Neighbourhood Programme’s Operational programme. The Operational programme and the Neighbourhood vision created for the area can be found on the Neighbourhood Programme's website.
In Autumn, residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback by responding to the residents’ survey and discussing the development carried out in the area at a resident event. Current participation opportunities in Kaukajärvi and Annala, as well as the progress of the Neighbourhood Programme, can be followed on the website and the Facebook page.
The article section about lighting has been updated on 11.6.2025.
Tree management section in Riihiniemi is updated on 12.6.2025.
