The first meeting with local collaborators of the Central Park Archives project took place at the Maunula Allotment garden on April 23. Despite the coronavirus pandemic and its restrictions for meetings, outdoor activities have been encouraged by officials and the Central Park has seen an increase of visitors during the Helsinki lockdown.
Maintaining physical distancing, artists and m-cult producers met with a small group of interested participants next to the Maunulanpuro stream at the corner of the allotment garden. With thermos coffee and cinnamon buns, we introduced the project's initial idea. In turn, we were presented a plant atlas of Maunula, observations of goshawks and flying squirrels, and springtime preparations at the allotments. To finish the meeting, we visited the nearby forest clearing where the 'Kiira' storm of 2017 had destroyed areas of old spruce trees.
An inspiring and promising trip!