Sankeng Nature Ecological Park Introduction
Sankeng Ecological Park is located by the scenic Shimen Reservoir along the Dahan River, covering an area of about 7 hectares. The park primarily features a large ecological lake and surrounding spacious grassy areas for recreation. It was constructed using ecological engineering methods and extensively planted with local native flowers, grasses, and trees, integrating the natural landscape into the ecological park. The park is equipped with facilities like a recreational park, pavilions, wooden arch bridges, and water channels, and it connects with the Sankeng Bicycle Path, creating a space for leisure and exercise. The surrounding environment of Sankeng Ecological Park is free from industrial development and adjacent to the reservoir dam, with layers of scenic lake and mountain landscapes, connecting to large sloping green spaces by the lakeside, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. In autumn, the Taiwan mulberry trees display their tender red hues, adding beautiful colors to the lush treetops, making the scenery quite picturesque. In fact, Sankeng Ecological Park was once a bustling ferry terminal during the Japanese occupation. However, due to the silting of the river, water transport declined. Furthermore, the indiscriminate backfilling of waste by sand and gravel pits severely damaged the local natural environment. Through the efforts of the local community and various sectors, the Ministry of the Interior's Construction and Planning Agency redesigned and planned the area, introducing water from the Shimen Ditch to gradually improve the surrounding vegetation, transforming it into a shimmering, lush natural ecological park. Sankeng Ecological Park showcases rich riverside ecology and has become a representative of the beautiful Longtan Mountain area. From its planning stage, the park aimed to maintain the original ecosystem, minimizing human interference and combining nature with recreation. Except for the pavilions and scenic bridges constructed with concrete, the entire area allows rainwater to naturally permeate into the soil. The ecological pool is surrounded by naturally sourced pebbles, continuously supplied with underground and mountain spring water to maintain the pool's clarity. The protective embankments are reinforced with treated wooden stakes to offer resting places for birds. Fishing is prohibited in the water area, enriching the ecosystem within the lake and enhancing the serene beauty at sunset. Walking along the wooden plank trail beside the lake allows close-up views of the lake and mountain scenery, along with bird-watching, making it an excellent spot for visitors to relax and unwind, as well as a popular location for wedding photography and ecological observation. Additionally, right next to the park is the Dahan River embankment; ascending the stone steps leads to a distant view of the Shimen Dam and the banks of the Dahan River. At the back of the park, there is a connection to the renowned Sankeng Iron Horse Trail, a 6-kilometer bicycle path with a moderate slope, suitable for children and adults to ride and enjoy. During the summer, visitors can appreciate the vast green rice fields; in the autumn and winter, after the rice harvest, cosmos seeds are sown as green manure, creating a large sea of cosmos flowers that presents a pleasing floral spectacle.
