Esplanadi (Swedish: Esplanaden), colloquially known as Espa, is an esplanade and urban park in downtown Helsinki, Finland, situated between the Erottaja square and the Market Square. It is bordered on its northern and southern sides by the Pohjoisesplanadi (Norra Esplanaden, North Esplanadi) and Eteläesplanadi (Södra Esplanaden, South Esplanadi) streets, respectively. Aleksanterinkatu runs parallel to Esplanadi. Esplanadi is well known as a popular walking area, and street performances are also often held in the park.
The origins of Esplanadi Park date back to the early 19th century, when visions for the reconstruction of Helsinki began to take form. Its layout, with the distinctive twin rows of trees, was first outlined in Johan Albreht Ehrenström's town plan, which won the approval of Emperor Alexander I of Russia in 1817. Designed by the architect Carl Ludwig Engel, the park was originally opened in 1818.
