Conceived as early as 1810, Kaisaniemi Park is the oldest public park in Helsinki. The lie of the land was taken into consideration when planning the park. A small ornamental lake was built to the south-west and in the centre a smaller pond. Low-lying, waterlogged ground was excavated, filled and drained, trees and shrubs were planted. A wooden bridge was built over the brook flowing from the lake.
     The park was refurbished in the 1860s. To the horror of the townspeople, the work was started by hacking down the trees. The trees were replaced by new saplings and shrubs, and the ponds and canals were cleaned. The park lawns were turned into a sand pitch. In August 1890, an

exceptionally heavy storm wreaked havoc in the park: 886 trees fell. Inevitably, the park lost some of its popularity because of the destruction caused by the storm. In the beginning of the twentieth century there were many plans for the park but after the First World War it took on its present form.
      Miss Catharina (Kaisa) Wahlund had a restaurant built in the park in 1830 at her own cost. The place soon became a restaurant favoured by university types, and the students christened it according to madam's more familiar name, hence Kaisaniemi. The song, sung to Miss Wahlund on her birthday, on May 1, has become a firm tradition.