Come and enjoy the community feel in Martinlaakso

Who is perhaps the most famous person from Martsari? A failsafe clue lies in the name of Mika Häkkinen Square located in Martinlaakso. There is also another F1 star who comes from the same neighbourhood: his surname is Salo. Finland’s most famous Mikas grew up in the local Raiviosuonmäki community in the early 1970s.

Finnish music legends including Virve Rosti, Annikki Tähti and Jorma Hynninen as well as heavy metal band Amorphis are also from Martinlaakso.

Some of the most beautiful cultural landscapes in Vantaa

The area of today’s Martinlaakso used to be hunting grounds for Tavastians until settlers from Hälsingland, Sweden, made the area their home after the Viking Age and the Crusades. History is still very much present at local farms dating back several centuries. Venues available for rent from Vantaa-Seura association for special occasions include Övre Nybacka, a farm with its history going back to the 1500s. The 150-year-old Villa Smeds horse farm can also be rented for private events.

Ideal for those into the outdoors

In Martinlaakso you are close to nature: hills, forest tracks and paths can be found all over the district.

The most popular area for outdoor recreation in West Vantaa, Raappavuori features rocky outcrops that reach up to 30 metres in places. There are excellent slopes for sledding on the northern side of Raappavuori hills. The area boasts meadows, lush herb-rich forests, all sorts of nesting species and even rare plants. These are glorious grounds for those into spotting species of flora and fauna!

The rock of Laajavuori hill originates from a range of mountains that was here around 1,800–1,900 million years ago. The hill is surrounded by a vast area of forest and parkland with facilities including a children’s day care centre and playground.

Kivivuori is the lowest of the three hills in Martinlaakso. Opened in 2001 and located right by the hill, the rhododendron park showcases all of Finland’s nine domestic rhododendron varieties, with most of them blooming from late May to mid-June.

What to do in the summer? In Martinlaakso you will be spoilt for choice: How about playing Finnish baseball with your mates on the sand field of Laajakorpi or watching the local team Vantaanjoen Juoksu play league matches? If Finnish baseball is not your thing, you will find clay tennis courts and a skateboard venue right by the field. In the winter, there is an ice-skating rink in conjunction with the multi-sport arena.

More facilities for physical activity can be found at the indoor swimming pool that also features a gym in the basement for those into strength training.

Built by Helsinki Scouting groups in 1960, the Kivimäki Scout Hall is currently owned by the local Scouting group, Vantaan Metsänkävijät, which organises a popular event Partiopamaus for the general public each spring. This is where you get to find flea market bargains, see Scouting skills demos and eat campfire pancakes. Or might allotment gardening be more your thing? Look no further as there are allotments that you can rent in the area.

You can wash your rugs at the Jokiuomanpuisto park, and that is also where you will find a neighbourhood keep-fit site designed by schoolkids, a dog park and a minigolf course.

Easy-to-approach culture and guided activities

Located in the heart of Martinlaakso, Cultural House Martinus is an important cultural centre in the area, providing people of all ages with a diverse programme around the year. This is where you can enjoy theatre, music, films and exhibitions and also spot show business stars as Martinus is also a popular venue for music recordings and TV productions. Martinus is also home to Vantaan Viihdeorkesteri, Finland’s only symphony orchestra devoted to popular music.

The Vihertie residents’ park and open meeting point provides guided activities for children under the school age and their parents, ranging from physical activity, songs and rhymes, adventure paths, stories and other fun things to do together.

Martinlaakso Youth Centre is full of all sorts of activity for young people aged 10–17. It organises trips, training and events and is a safe place for just hanging out.

Martinlaakso is an easy place to live whether you are a student or already working: there is a full range of services, a revamped shopping centre and excellent public transport connections by train as well as bus to destinations around the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. It is also easy to get around by car thanks to the multiple transport arteries found nearby. Martinlaakso is a peaceful area and appreciated by families with children as well as more aged residents.

Martsari residents are a diverse crowd. Many of them say there is a good spirit in the area and the atmosphere is positive and open.

Might you open up your heart to Martinlaakso?