Known in English as Esplanade Park, this green axis of central Helsinki covers 1.75 hectares. Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, it was built in the 1850s on reclaimed land from a former bay. The statue of the poet J. L. Runeberg by his son Walter, unveiled in 1885, was Helsinki's first public monument. Restaurant Kappeli dates from 1867, the kiosks from 1893, 1909 and 1928, and Tove Jansson was the model for the larger mermaid of Viktor Jansson's fountain.
From May Day to the end of August about 200 groups perform on the Espa stage, programmed by the Helsinki Cultural Centre. Sightseeing tour tickets are sold at the kiosk by the stage. The public toilet's paid side is wheelchair accessible.
