Helsinki and State swap land to allow national park to expand
The City of Helsinki and the Finnish State have swapped properties, allowing the Sipoonkorpi national park in the Helsinki Region to develop as a uniform area.
Finnish Parliament established Finland’s 36th national park in Sipoonkorpi in March 2011. The park, located in State-owned land in Helsinki, Vantaa and Sipoo, three adjoining cities and municipalities, helps to protect nationally significant natural environment in the area, close to a large population concentration.
Helsinki has transferred to the State 17 forest properties owned by the City and located in Sipoo and Vantaa close to the southern part of the national park. In return, the City has received from the State two sites inside Helsinki suitable for housing construction.
The forest land area passed from Helsinki to the State totals 423 hectares, valued at €4 million. The City has earlier transferred to the State 1,200 hectares of land, which now forms part of the national park. The sites received by the City from the State are valued at €5.3 million. The City pays the State €1.3 million to make up the balance.
