Abandoned site turned into forest: Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park’s urban green miracle

Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park is the first metropolitan forest park in Taiwan. It covers an area of 95 hectares, second only to Taitung Forest Park, and ranks among the second largest metropolitan parks in Taiwan. What is even more impressive is that it was built on the former Xiqingpu landfill and was covered with soil and greened. It has successfully transformed into a green lung of the city, which not only purifies the air and conserves water and soil, but also has environmental education functions. The park is divided into three major themes: the entrance area, the dynamic activity area, and the forest plant area. The first phase (about 35 hectares) focuses on sports and leisure facilities; the second phase is to plant forests and restore the natural ecology. The first phase was opened in 1996, and the entire area was opened in 1998 (). 🌲 Natural construction methods and forest style The park is full of trees and trails, as if entering a small forest. The park adopts the concept of "growth-oriented restoration" and gives priority to planting native trees and shrubs that adapt to the climate of southern Taiwan. Currently, there are more than 120,000 plants and 260 species growing here. The design combines urban forest greening with environmental education, restoring ecology and creating urban green belts, with multiple functions such as purification, noise reduction, sewer regulation and buffering urban heat island effect.

The landmark of the central square is a "Golden Rooster Sundial" device, which symbolizes foresight and has a clock function.

🏃♂️ Sports space all year round

The park has a variety of sports facilities: lawn frisbee, basketball court, tennis court, and even roller skating area. It is the first choice for Nanzi residents to exercise and have holiday picnics.

There is also a parent-child interaction area, including an ecological exhibition room, a children's play area and a library, which is suitable for the whole family to travel.

The trail is gentle and there are barrier-free ramps and brick-paved trails throughout the area, so strollers and wheelchairs can easily pass ().

🌾 Parent-child activities and environmental education

Gaodu Park is not only a place to relax, but also an environmental education base. There are often activities such as "Nature Observation Tour" and "Parent-Child Ecological Lecture" on weekends, which are jointly promoted by the National Park Administration and environmental education groups to allow citizens to walk into nature and deepen their understanding of the environment.

The indoor service center provides environmental education teaching materials and field tours, which are suitable for school teaching and family learning ().

🌅 Hakka style and green space check-in

The large lawns and tree-lined trails in the park are excellent photography backgrounds. The Golden Rooster Sundial, forest trails and landscape pools are particularly distinctive and have become Instagram check-in hotspots. In the early morning or at sunset, the light and shadows are intertwined, suitable for walking, yoga and camping picnics.

Kaohsiung Metropolitan Park is not only a green space, but also an urban oasis that combines ecological restoration, environmental education and sports and leisure. From landfills to forest parks, it has witnessed the power of urban transformation and provides a healthy space for all people to share. Whether it is morning light, dusk, parent-child time, or long-distance running hobbies, there is always the green you want here.

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