Otto Karhi park was Oulu's first real park area, originally called "Appelgrenin plaana". The construction as a park began in 1882 when birch trees were planted on the site. At first, the park was called "Vapaapalokunnan puisto" or "Palokunnan puisto" after the voluntary fire brigade located on the adjacent lot. In the site plan of 1908, the name was confirmed as Palokunta puisto, according to which the park also began to be called Letkun puisto. In 1956, the name was changed to Otto Karhi park. Otto Karhi was a long-time Oulu municipal politician and cooperative merchant. Today, the park has one of Oulu's most central light traffic intersections. The footbridge crosses Kaupunginoja, which cuts diagonally through Otto Karhi park.