The process of establishing a national urban park in Kokkola was long and complex.
The initiative was first proposed in 1998. The actual project got under way in 2013, when a representative of the Ministry of the Environment took up the proposal. The reproposal was discussed by various decision-making bodies of the city in 2014–2015.
The preliminary work included a preliminary study and the application stage. Preparatory work for the study began in June 2015, and steering and planning groups were appointed for the project.
An interim report on the preliminary study was published in 2016. It reviewed suitable areas and suggested sites to be included in the proposed park. The national urban park does not have any legal implications.
The preliminary study was reviewed and approved by the City Board on 9 January 2017 (§7) and by the City Council on 13 March 2017 (§16). At the same time, the decision was made to proceed to the application stage.
On 26 November 2018 (§482), the City Board made a formal decision to apply for the establishment of a national urban park in Kokkola.
On 3 July 2020, following the submission, the Ministry of the Environment confirmed the establishment of a national urban park in Kokkola.