Karhupuisto (Swedish: Björnparken) is located in Helsinki, in the Kallio area. In the early 20th century the park was known as Agrikola Park. Karhupuisto is named after the sculpture of Jussi Mäntünen in the nest of the Mesikammi ants. The sculpture in the northern corner of the park depicts the Finnish national animal bear. In the sculpture the bear's neck is bent, treading on the anthill. The work from red granite was presented in 1931.
The summer highlight of the park is a large and colorful flower plantation. The godparents of Karhupuisto, together with the city department of the park, are engaged in floral plantations of the park, grass and linden. In the south corner of the park there is a rather large sandy field where you can play Boolee, among other things. Karhupuisto is known, among others, as a home field of the Political Club Petanque . The park also hosts activities.
Karhupuisto has two stalls. In the kiosk with wooden lids there is now a summer cafe. The second building is a modern barbecue kiosk with a steel frame.
The bear park has a triangular shape. On the west side of the park there is a tram stop (lines 3 and 9), on the east side of Fleminginkatu there is a bus stop (51) and a taxi stop. Next to the park, on the other side of Fleminginkatu, is Callio Library . The park borders on Agricolancatu to the north. The fire station is also nearby.
The previous names of the park, introduced in 1901 and officially approved in 1928, were Agricola Park - Agricolaskvären. The names were changed to Bear Park - Björnparken in 1956. The change of the name was intended to avoid interference by Eira, located in the church of Agricola and the adjacent park (now the mill park).
Bear Park is mentioned in several songs of Sir Elwood's quiet flowers. Karhupuisto also appears several times on TV in the drama series YLE Kotikatu . In 1996 singer Aarne Tenkanen recorded the song "Karhupuisto boogie woogie".