Aul Forest School Introduction
Owl Forest Academy, a playground dedicated to children, is located next to the Confucius Temple in Huto Mountain Park. The area is surrounded by lush greenery, which attracts many owls during the winter for resting and feeding. The name "Owl" is derived from the homophone of the English word for owl. Within the park, visitors can find three prominent tree houses, each featuring ceramic owl sculptures created by local artists. Children can join in on the fun of searching for these 15 owls of various sizes hidden throughout the area. The Owl Forest Academy utilizes the unique property of the ficus tree's aerial roots, avoiding tree roots during construction to ensure that the tree houses coexist naturally with the tree without harming the existing ecosystem. To enhance the structural integrity of the tree houses, fiberglass has been used, allowing children to play in a safe environment. An elevated squirrel walkway connects the "Tree Reading Classroom," "Cuckoo House," and "Green Ark," designed as hexagonal structures. The "Tree Reading Classroom" serves as a gazebo where children can observe the crown ecology from a 360-degree perspective, allowing for a different viewpoint of nature and adding enjoyment to their journey. The owl-shaped "Cuckoo House," resembling a large guardian of the forest, offers children a chance to peek out from inside and potentially see rare birds up close! The "Green Ark" platform, shaped like leaves, features a small owl house at its center that provides a resting place for birds. In addition to the tree houses, the children’s play area nearby is equally entertaining! It features four sets of slides, including an extra-long red and yellow slide, along with various climbing structures that keep children engaged in play. The park also periodically launches various environmental education programs that use storybooks, crafts, and painting to document the wonders of mountain and forest ecology, encouraging children to connect with and care for nature.
