ESPOO MAGAZINE 2/2017

EVERYTHING ABOUT ESPOO’S
WATERFRONT WALKWAY
AT WORK
For Lennart Pettersson, the sea is everything. Now he works at the
seaside along the Waterfront Walkway.
TEXT Tiina Parikka PHOTO Timo Porthan
’’
The sea has always been part of my work ever
since my first summer jobs. I became the Waterfront
Walkway host through a development
group that discussed the future of the area a few
months ago.
Previously, I’ve worked with boat harbours and seaside
outdoor services. All services related to the sea are interesting,
so it was easy and fun to seize this opportunity.
My job is to further develop the area. Now, in the summertime,
it mostly means organising events together with
partners. I also negotiate with companies interested in investing
in the area and I connect the right people to help
matters progress. An important part of activating the area
is of course communication with the residents of Espoo.
We want to explain what is taking place here.
The Waterfront Walkway is a vast and diverse area. Its
eastern border is a Natura area that has Nature House
Villa Elfvik and the Gallen-Kallela Museum. When you
head west, the area changes into the Otaniemi University
Campus that is Espoo’s
innovation hub. After that, you’ll encounter the
strongly constructed Keilaniemi with its tower houses.
The section from Westend to Kivenlahti has plenty of
beach cafés and restaurants, beaches and marinas.
Among other events, the autumn will include the traditional
seaside marathon that will be run on 16–17 September.
The sea has a hold of
Lennart Pettersson’s
work and leisure.
40
KILOMETRES OF PEDESTRIAN
AND BICYCLE PATHS
18
MARINAS
THE WATER-
FRONT
WALKWAY HAS,
AMONG OTHER
THINGS
11
SEASIDE BEACHES
2
BIRDWATCHING TOWERS
2
HOTELS AND SEVERAL
CAFÉS AND
RESTAURANTS
ESPOO MAGAZINE 2/2017 >> 7