Wading pools, flowers and illuminated bears – participatory budgeting results are in
Residents of Pori had the chance to decide which of their proposed ideas the city would implement with a budget of 60 000 euros. Nearly 3 400 residents cast their votes in the With Love to the People of Pori participatory budgeting process. The results are now in: the wading pool in Kirjurinluoto will be upgraded, a cherry blossom park will be established in Kuninkaanhaka, a community summer oasis will be built on the Kävelykatu city promenade, and illuminated bears will decorate Eteläpuisto next winter.
A total of 3 393 residents took part in the vote: 3 142 online and 251 on paper. Each participant could vote for up to three proposals. The theme of this participatory budgeting round was to promote encounters between residents.
– The activity of Pori residents was delightful both during idea collecting in January and during voting in May. We thank everyone who participated and hope for joyful encounters amid splashing water, lights and blooming flowers, comment participation specialists Alina Isoviita and Elli-Mari Sulonen and wellbeing coordinator Sirpa Kynäslahti.
Residents’ favourites will bring joy all year round
Implementation of the two most popular proposals will begin already this summer. The Kirjurinluoto wading pool will receive a new carnival-themed painting, and its surroundings will be improved. The renovated pool is planned to be celebrated with an opening event in late summer.
In Otsonpuisto in Kuninkaanhaka, 40 cherry trees will be planted during the summer. The trees are expected to bloom for the first time next spring. Even before that, they will enhance biodiversity and the pleasantness of the area. Otsonpuisto is located between Kuninkaantie and Tellervontie, at the eastern end of the streets.
Around the turn of the year, seasonal lighting will brighten the centre of Pori. Based on residents’ decision, two illuminated bear sculptures will be installed in Eteläpuisto, between Liisankatu and Mikonkatu, inviting people to gather around them next winter.
There will also be something to look forward to next year, as the Kävelykatu city promenade’s community summer oasis will be built in summer 2027 as part of Kävis’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Eetunaukio will feature a pleasant seating area with benches and plants, designed for meeting both familiar faces and new people. For the winter season, the oasis will be transformed with conifers and other frost-resistant plants.
Voting results
The listing below shows the number of votes received by each proposal. A total of 3 393 votes were cast. Each voter could choose up to three proposals. With a 60 000 euros budget, the four proposals receiving the most votes will be implemented.
Upgrading the wading pool in Kirjurinluoto (9600 €) 1135 votes
Cherry Tree Park in Otsonpuisto Park, Kuninkaanhaka (7400 €) 1058 votes
Community summer oasis on the Kävelykatu city promenade (23 000 €) 980 votes
Seasonal lightning in Eteläpuisto Park (20 000 €) 744 votes
Film Day (10 500 €) 628 votes
Renovation of the skate park in Pormestarinluoto (60 000 €) 593 votes
End-of-term celebration event (54 000 €) 581 votes
Bridge dances at Eteläranta (5000 €) 466 votes
Series of nature excursions – the seasons of Pori (13 800 €) 432 votes
Street floorball and/or street basketball tournament (15 000–25 0000 €) 327 votes
Board game space at the main library (7000 €) 313 votes
Heavy Metal night at Cultural House Annis (40 000 €) 276 votes
Panel discussion with YouTubers (11 000 €) 174 votes
Art picnic for babies in Kruunupää Centre for Children’s Culture (6000 €) 124 votes
The next round of participatory budgeting is planned to begin at the start of 2028.