Interactive Gardens
In the INTERACTIVE GARDENS project we are developing a model of an interactive green space. The concept will enhance the health and well-being benefits of public parks and gardens and support the functionality and interaction skills of vulnerable people.
In the INTERACTIVE GARDENS project we are developing a model of an interactive green space. The concept will enhance the health and well-being benefits of public parks and gardens and support the functionality and interaction skills of vulnerable people. For schools, green spaces can provide outdoor learning environments. The concept will take into account regional specificities and local conditions. It will be developed in collaboration with land use authorities and decision makers, research institutes, associations, and users of the area.
The concept, which will result in a virtual model, will be used by spatial planning authorities and decision makers. It will benefit educational and research institutions and users of green spaces such as NGOs, health service providers, residents, and special groups. The concept can guide regional, national, EU and Baltic Sea policies.
The project will be implemented in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Denmark in the period 11/2023‒210/2026 in three work packages. In Finland, the solutions are being tested at the Elonkierto Exhibition Park in the municipality of Jokioinen, the Arctic Therapeutic Garden in the municipality of Tervola, and a virtual model at Luke’s VirtuLab in the city of Helsinki.
The project is co-funded by the European Union Interreg Fund for the Baltic Sea Region.
links (in finnish)
- Keinoja puistojen ja lähiluonnon käytön lisäämiseen
- Elonkierto 29.6.2026: Elonkierrossa buustattiin hyvää oloa lähiluonnossa
- Lumen 30.10.2025: Sairaana sairaalassa, terveenä luonnossa – luontoavusteisuus osana sosiaali- ja terveyspalveluita
- Luke 3.10.2025: Luontoterveyttä puistoista ja lähiluonnosta
- Elonkierto 12.8.2025: Maanpuolustusnaiset villiyrttien pauloissa
- Elonkierto 7.11.2024: Hankevierailut tutustuttivat yhteisöjen tarvelähtöiseen puutarhojen käyttöön
- Luke 5.8.2024: Elonkierto – suomalaisin juurin yhteisöllisyyden ytimessä
- Luke 27.2.2024: Puistot hyvinvoinnin ja oppimisen tukena
- Viherympäristö-lehti 1/2024: Vuorovaikutteisia puutarhoja kehittämässä
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Erja Mattila
+358 45 111 7754 / mattilanerja@gmail.com
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Sirpa Kurppa
+358 40 142 6506 / sirpa.kurppa@outlook.com
Miia Kuhanen
+358 50 547 4729 / miia.kuhanen@elonkierto.fi
Interactive Gardens project in elonkierto
In the Interactive Gardens (IG) project, the presentation of Elonkierto was developed towards interactive garden services. The project created a diverse service package that combines wellbeing, learning, and experiential elements in a natural environment. The services included, among others:
- Refreshing nature walk: peace of mind, wellbeing, and awakening of the senses
- Poetry moment: relaxation in nature, for example in hammocks, and shared reading of selected poems
- Meeting animals and learning about their body language and natural behavior
- Environmental art experiments using natural materials
- Walk with a researcher: food knowledge and ideas for sustainable food
- Games and playful competitions in a traditional style with new twists
- Learning about nature in fields, pastures, and/or forest pastures
- Forest hike ending at a lean-to shelter
The services were designed to be adaptable for different target groups and easily transferable and scalable to other parks as well.
PILOTS DURING SUMMER OF 2025
The planned number of pilots were carried out between May and September 2025. The invited groups included Elonkierto’s partner companies, various types of NGOs, school groups and some professional garden groups. The services were tailored to the wishes of each group. At the same time, we ensured that the services were replicable, transferable and ready to be expanded to other parks. A feedback survey was also sent to participants after each visit to collect assessments of the success of the pilot service.
In addition to the summer season pilots, the concept under development by Interactive Gardens was tested during the winter season at two events: the Halloween event 30.10.2025 and the Christmas Yard 14.12.2025-6.1.2026. In December, Elonkierto also organized partnership evening where the IG project was present as well. The event was attended by approximately 45 representatives of different associations and companies, all of whom are potential participants in the implementation of the garden concept developed by the IG project once the it’s completed.
What was developed in the pilots?
During the project, several nature-based programme concepts were developed and piloted for different target groups within the traditional rural landscapes, forest garden, and animal areas of Elonkierto. Participants ranged from primary school pupils to researchers, work communities, families, and civil organisations. Each programme was tailored to the needs and goals of the group, and every pilot was documented and reflected upon. The pilot activities combined:
- wild herb knowledge and forest garden practices
- observation of species-typical animal behaviour
- exploration of biodiversity
- creative activities using natural materials
- agricultural and food education themes
- community dialogue and experiential learning
The pilots demonstrated that a natural environment can simultaneously offer educational and recreation value. The same environment can serve different target groups through varied thematic emphases. Dialogue in nature deepens learning and strengthens a sense of participation. Elonkierto’s forest garden and traditional biotopes provide a unique platform for addressing biodiversity, food security, and sustainable living.
Firstbeat Measurements during summer 2026
Elonkierto has selected the Firstbeat system to support the measurement of wellbeing outcomes within the IG project. Firstbeat Life is a personal health and wellbeing service that helps users better understand the effects of stress, recovery, sleep, and physical activity on their overall wellbeing. The service provides insights into the body’s workload and recovery processes and helps users find a healthy balance between daily demands and rest.
During the pilot, the Firstbeat system will be tested as a tool for evaluating the impact of Elonkierto’s wellbeing services. The aim is to examine how visits to the park affect participants’ recovery and overall wellbeing. In particular, the study will investigate whether park visits have an immediate effect on recovery and whether these effects can be seen in the quality and restorative value of sleep during the following night.
The objective of the pilot is to assess how suitable the Firstbeat measurement method is for monitoring the effects of park visits. The project will also explore participants’ experiences of the measurement process: whether they find it useful and whether the results provide new insights into their own wellbeing and recovery.
Implementation of the Measurements
The measurements will be conducted during July and August 2026. The measurement period begins at the beginning of the week, when a supervisor will attach the measurement device to the participant. During this time, participants will also complete a 30-minute fitness walk at a steady pace on level terrain. The measurement period lasts 3 to 5 days and ends no later than Friday. On the middle day of the measurement period, participants are required to spend approximately 1.5 to 3 hours at Elonkierto. The visit may include walking along the main nature trail, spending time with the animals, and exploring the sensory forest trail.
All measurement results will be processed anonymously. Participants who wish to do so will receive a personal summary of their measurement results. The pilot measurements are funded by the IG project, making participation completely free of charge.
The results of the Firstbeat pilot measurements will be presented at the IG project’s final seminar and included in the project’s final report.
