The Centre is built on the Salpausselkä ridge, layered by ancient glacial streams at the edge of the continental ice sheet. Stretching over 600 km, Salpausselkä is one of Finland’s most significant and best-known geological formations. The Lahti Sports Centre and its surroundings is one of the finest sites of the Salpausselkä ridge and the UNESCO designated Salpausselkä Geopark, which encompasses Lahti and five other municipalities in the region.
Salpausselkä Geopark encompasses the municipalities of Lahti, Hollola, Heinola, Asikkala, Padasjoki, and Sysmä. It was accepted into the UNESCO Global Geopark network in spring 2022. While UNESCO status is permanent, all designated areas undergo reassessment every four years to ensure quality standards are met.
UNESCO evaluations strongly emphasize visitor guidance and signage. Clear signage is essential for both residents and visitors to recognize significant geological sites and navigate to them. Previous evaluations have highlighted the Lahti region’s lack of themed roadside signs. While cities and municipalities cannot independently decide on signage along highways and main roads, they have authority over signs within the urban street network.
Salpausselkä Geopark (visitlahti.fi)