Taiwan’s Mini Parks: #1
December 12, 2007
By: thenhbushman
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Category: Lifestyle, Taiwan, Topography, leisure
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Photos by MJ Klein This article and all photos are geotagged
Land is at a premium in Taiwan. City planners put parks in virtually any small lot they can use for that purpose as opposed to the giant parks that exist in other countries where land is plentiful. I’ve always appreciated these mini, and sometimes, micro parks and over the new days and weeks I will introduce you to some of them. They can be a fun, almost private place where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful weather we have in Taiwan.
This park is built on a corner piece of land in Hukou. It’s shaped roughly like a triangle.
I don’t know why, but this particular park is almost devoid of ground vegetation. This shot was taken at the pointed end of the park. Looking at the plot of land, it would be hard to put up a decent housing complex here because of the narrow point, so this might be the reason that a park was built here instead.
This sign is posted in 2 places. Come on! No barbecue? That’s Un-taiwanese! I have yet to find the name of this park, if it even has one.
East end of the park. Plenty of open space for something…. I just don’t know what.
Center of the park.
West end of the park. Today there were two mothers with their children using the park.
Honestly, I don’t get the use of these huge planters, except as a trash collector. They are an obstacle to playing children, and with the low brick walls, IMO, a hazard.
On both ends of the park are places to sit and do nothing, since you can’t bring a grill to this park. However, since Taiwan has no discernible open container laws, you can sit here and get plastered all you want. Maybe I’ll do a series on getting plastered in mini parks next time.
This last shot is of the entire park, from the East end facing the West. I think this park has potential but unfortunately (I’m assuming) the local authorities lack the vision to do anything of any consequence with it. Nevertheless, this is a place of relative peace and quiet, as no place in Taiwan is truly quiet.
Still, I like this park. Don’t take my seemingly negative comments too hard. I’m just attempting to realistically portray these places so you can appreciate them.
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December 13th, 2007 at 2:16 am
Bushman,
Are there are community groups who “adopt” parks like in America? You know, local folks who look after the park, organize clean-up days, perhaps plant some grass and such?
Urban parks are wonderful places…and is there anything better than enjoying a beer outside on a beautiful day?
Again, I appreciate this great look into the daily life of Taiwan that you provide. Thank you!
December 13th, 2007 at 3:32 am
Dwu » it seems to depend upon who owns the park. if the park is owned by the local community then the local people usually are motivated to clean it up and take care of it. usually there will be some “auntie” that takes charge of things and will accept donations for upkeep. if the park is owned by the county it seems that in most cases these parks won’t have the local care that the neighborhood parks enjoy. if anyone cleans it up it would be a volunteer and usually they aren’t really organized. those US type neighborhood organizations aren’t common here.
yes i agree that those parks are a great place to enjoy a beer, and nobody will bother you about drinking alcohol in public here! thanks for your comments Dwu!
December 13th, 2007 at 5:16 am
Like many parks in Taiwan, this one has so much potential if only it was better maintained. But I guess everything costs money, even grass.
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December 13th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Sandy » potential is right. there is no motivation to improve it, unfortunately. maybe someone connected to the parks will read my articles and see the comments. or maybe not.
December 16th, 2007 at 6:41 am
Yep, I’ve wondered about that myself with some of the parks here in Tainan. Potential is a key word, but execution is always a problem, and it seems that my Taiwanese friends living here don’t think much of it.
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