Youth Park

Youth Park is a comprehensive open park in the greater Taipei metropolitan area, located on the west side of Wanhua District, Taipei City. It is bordered by Guoxing Road to the east, Qingnian Road to the west and north, and Shuiyuan Road to the south. Covering an area of 24.44 hectares, its land can be traced back to the Japanese colonial era when it was originally a military drill ground before being converted into an airfield. Due to its location at the southern end of Taipei City, directly opposite Songshan Airport in the north, it was known as 'South Airport'. In 1953 (Republic of China Year 42), the Taipei Country Club partnered with the Ministry of National Defense to establish the Taipei Golf Club. On Youth Day in 1974 (Republic of China Year 63), following instructions from the Executive Yuan, the Taipei City Government took over the golf course and redeveloped it into Youth Park. The official takeover occurred in October of the same year, and construction was completed in September 1977 (Republic of China Year 66), making it an excellent recreational spot for Taipei citizens. The park boasts well-equipped facilities, lush greenery, and beautiful scenery. Paid sports facilities include a golf course situated along Guoxing Road, eight swimming pools along Shuiyuan Road, and six tennis courts on the park's south side. A billiards room is also available within the swimming pool building. Free-to-use sports and recreational facilities, distributed throughout the park, include basketball courts, badminton courts, baseball fields, roller skating rinks, a tennis practice wall, and an outdoor fitness area. Additionally, the park offers social and educational services such as a bonsai hall, reading room, audiovisual classrooms, an outdoor music stage, and a police station to serve citizens and visitors. Beyond the various hardware and service facilities, the park's landscaping design, green infrastructure layout, and plant distribution are central to its beautification. At the main entrance, the flowerbeds are arranged in a radial pattern, featuring vibrant and beautiful seasonal flowers such as impatiens, celosia, cuphea, cigar flower, spider flower, and golden dewdrop. Behind these, shrubs like azaleas, ixoras, crotons, podocarpus, and jasmine are planted, creating an impression of abundant, colorful, and breathtaking blossoms upon entering the park. The central area of the park is extensively covered with lush, verdant, and neatly trimmed lawns. Surrounding these, banyan trees are planted in pairs, forming dense, shady green tunnels. From a distance, it appears as a sea of green, and strolling through it feels like a forest bath, invigorating both mind and body. Adjacent to the lawn area, there is a wide expanse of coniferous trees (Araucaria cunninghamii), where many citizens exercise in the mornings for their health. Behind the lawn area, a waterway connects to the Nine-Bend Bridge on the park's northeast side. The banks of the pond are extensively planted with aquatic plants, and numerous fountains sparkle throughout, enhancing the scenic beauty. To the east of the baseball field, a wide area is planted with mature maple trees, forming a maple forest. During the autumn leaf-shedding season, the falling maple leaves become one of the winter attractions. Additionally, azaleas are planted all around the park, and their dazzlingly vibrant colors during spring blooming season further enhance the park's beauty. Furthermore, the park is extensively planted with trees, shrubs, and lawns, interspersed with flowerbeds, park benches, pavilions, health trails, and sculptures. The park paths are wide and open, with scenic spots at every turn, making it an excellent example of a large comprehensive park. Youth Park, with its vast area and diverse, well-equipped facilities, provides the public with recreational, sports, social education, and rehabilitation functions. From youth to old age, whether disabled or healthy, everyone can fully enjoy it. For a park to be beautiful, in addition to creating stunning scenery, it also requires the public to visit, use, cherish, and protect it, so that everyone can together enjoy the fruits of urban development.