Sankeng Natural Ecological Park Introduction
Sankeng Natural Ecological Park is located along the picturesque Shimen Reservoir and Dahan River, covering an area of approximately 7 hectares. The park features a large ecological lake as its centerpiece, surrounded by spacious recreational lawns. The entire area was constructed using ecological methods and extensively planted with local native flowers, grasses, and trees, blending the ecological park with natural landscapes. It includes facilities such as a recreational park, pavilions, a wooden arch bridge, and water channels, and can connect to the Sankeng bike path, creating a space for leisure and fitness activities. The surrounding environment of Sankeng Ecological Park has seen minimal industrial development and is located near the reservoir dam, providing layers of beautiful lake and mountain views that connect to large sloping green spaces by the pool, creating a serene and relaxed atmosphere. In autumn, the Taiwan sumac trees put on a display with their hints of delicate red, adding beautiful colors to the lush treetops and enhancing the stunning scenery. Historically, Sankeng Ecological Park was a busy ferry terminal during the Japanese colonial era. Over time, due to river siltation, water transportation declined, and illegal sand mining left behind discarded materials that severely damaged the local natural scenery. Through the efforts and advocacy of the community and various groups, the National Bureau of Construction and Planning redesigned the area, introducing water sources from the Shimen Ditch, gradually improving the surrounding vegetation and transforming it into a shimmering and lush natural ecological park. Sankeng Ecological Park showcases rich waterfront ecology and has become one of the representative sites of Longtan Mountain's beautiful scenery. From the initial planning stage, the ecological park, adjacent to Shimen Reservoir and Dahan River, was designed with the primary concept of preserving the original ecology, striving to minimize human impact while integrating nature and recreation. Except for the pavilions and scenic bridges made of concrete, the entire area allows rainwater to naturally permeate the soil, while the ecological pond is surrounded by natural materials such as pebbles and is replenished with continuous groundwater and mountain spring water to maintain clear water quality. The protective embankments are reinforced with treated wooden piles, providing resting spots for birds, and fishing is prohibited in the pond, which enriches the lake's ecology and enhances its enchanting scenery at sunset. Walking along the wooden boardwalk by the lake allows close-up appreciation of the lake and mountain views while observing the bird ecology. It is not only suitable for visitors to relax and enjoy but also a great spot for wedding photography and ecological observation. In addition, right next to the park is the Dahan River embankment, where visitors can climb stone steps to gaze out at the panoramic views of Shimen Dam and the Dahan River. The rear of the park connects to the famous Sankeng bike path, which stretches 6 kilometers and features moderate slopes suitable for both young and old riders. In the summer, visitors can enjoy the sight of vast green rice fields, while in autumn and winter, after the rice harvest, the area is sown with cosmos seeds, resulting in expansive fields of cosmos flowers, creating a delightful and picturesque floral display.
