Project Overview

The site was an old paper mill belonging to Taiwan Sugar Corp. (Taisugar) The project transforms part of the strip space into a park with a total area of 1.1 hectares. In line with the impression of Pingtung County, the project is themed on the local characteristics of Pingtung, such as agricultural specialties and water resources. The design team used a zoning plan to replicate the topography of Pingtung, with water as a gentle image connecting the past, present, and future of Pingtung County throughout the park.
For amusement, the design team took the concept of local agricultural products to create amusement facilities with elements such as lemons, red beans, and onions, allowing children to strengthen their cultural awareness of Pingtung County through playing and sensory experiences. As for zoning, the project follows the topographic characteristics of Pingtung County, such as steep slopes and rushing rivers to create areas with different water volumes. The project aims to allow the public to learn about the geographical features of Pingtung County by observing the changes in water volume along the route from high to low or from low to high.

Organisation

CHUN-ZHU Construction Co.,Ltd

Team

CHUN-ZHU Construction Co., Ltd, Phototroph Engineering Consultants, Inc., Taiwan, Pingtung County Government, Department of Public Works

Project Brief

A drop of water rushes down from the mountains, travels through valleys, ravines, and plains, and eventually seeps into the roads. When people experience the facilities in the park, they can find many recreational facilities that are closely related to the water cycle. Water is a precious resource yet closely related to life. The park combines the concepts of environmental protection and sustainability, allowing people to get close to water. People can learn about Pingtung's geological culture through the flow of water, and they can learn about the characteristics of Pingtung's agricultural products through the pulse of water.

The site was an old paper mill belonging to Taiwan Sugar Corp. The core of the park is "integration", with greenery and recreational facilities to strengthen the interaction between the public and the natural environment. The park also retains the impression of the paper mill. For example, the double-circle-shaped pond is made of corten steel, which resembles the pulp mill roller parts. When the public enjoys the pond, they will be able to appreciate the history and the present, which will create a sense of fun and education, and achieve the integration of local culture.

Project Innovation/Need

Pingtung County outlined by water: Pingtung County is in the Pacific seismic zone, with steep slopes and fast-flowing rivers, and has abundant water resources. The park is outlined by the topography of Pingtung County with six major areas, including the Water Mist Forest Area and the Phytoncine Fitness Area in the high mountains, the Mountain King Area and the Little Wild Man Area in the hills, and the Pavement Farmland Area and the Multipurpose Turf Area in the flatlands. Each area has interactive facilities with water. A variety of agricultural products in Pingtung County: There are onions, lemons, and red beans in the park, and these three agricultural products are the pride of Pingtung. The onions grown in Checheng have a sweet taste due to the strong winds that blow day and night. The design team integrates onions with slides to create a fun scene of onion farming. Moreover, many plants that can emit the smell of lemon are planted in the sensory experience area, and people are encouraged to touch them with their hands and inhale them with their noses to feel the gift from the earth. On the other side, the red beans are combined with local historical stories. To reduce the infestation of rats in the red bean fields, farmers placed wooden piles in the fields for eagles to roost to realize the cycle of the biological chain.

Design Challenge

Pingtung County has many characteristics that deserve to be highlighted, whether it be culture, industry, or people. It is important to extract the most classic elements to present in the project. After discussions and research, the design team decided to take water, which is closely related to human life, and internationally renowned agricultural products as the highlight of the park, so that the local people will have a strong resonance with it at first. Furthermore, there was already a small children's playground at the site, and the focus of the renovation was not only to present a park that meets the expectations of the public but also to preserve the original facilities and adjust the style as much as possible.

Sustainability

The park has a green area of 79%, and the water system not only reflects the topography of Pingtung County but also extends the high terrain on the east side of Taiwan Island and the low terrain on the west side. The water can be concentrated at the end to filter, discharge, and re-circulate. The height difference allows the public to enjoy the cleanest water. For another, the tropical monsoon climate of Pingtung County is south of the northern regression line, and the climate is hot for up to nine months, making it the "Tropical Capital". The water recreation facilities in the park are a great place for local people to spend their time in the summer for free. Facilities and activities related to Pingtung County's agricultural specialties are planned in the park. The transmission of good spirits is an important part of sustainability. Through the sensory experience, the park has the meaning of education and fun, and it can convey the beauty of the local industry to children in a friendly and stress-free way. Moreover, some of the facilities in the park are refurbished and reused according to the original facilities, to be as environmentally friendly as possible based on safety.