Zhongshan Park Introduction
Established in 1915 (the 4th year of the Republic of China), Zhongshan Park is located at the intersection of Zhonghua Road and Gongyuan Road in Pingtung City, covering a total area of 23,715 ping. The park is home to a diverse variety of tree species, especially notable for its old trees, which are impressive in terms of type, number, and growth range, earning it the title of "Home of Old Trees." In addition, the park features children's play areas, plant shade structures, a palm tree boulevard, and event memorials, while also preserving remnants from the Japanese colonial period, including a pond, an arch bridge, a gazebo, and air-raid shelter ruins, making it a park that combines leisure and historical culture. Zhongshan Park's expansive grounds are characterized by lush greenery, showcasing enchanting trees such as banyan, camphor, olive, Casuarina, light wax wood, and frangipani, all of which present their most charming appearances here. The banyan tree has long and dense aerial roots, resembling a bearded elder, providing a sense of warmth; the camphor tree's bark is wrinkled and resembles a texture filled with inscriptions, giving it an academic aura; the olive tree stands tall with its branches spreading out, and its bark is dark brown, presenting the figure of a robust farmer. For those who appreciate being close to trees, Zhongshan Park offers an opportunity to admire them thoroughly. During the Japanese colonial period, shrines were commonly established, and Zhongshan Park was home to a "Suehiro Inari Shrine." However, after the retrocession of Taiwan, this shrine was demolished, and its original site was rebuilt into a hexagonal gazebo, with its base converted into an air-raid shelter, while the pond and arch bridge were preserved in their original condition, representing historical sites of value. The arch bridge, in particular, features a rounded bridge surface, with the railings and posts also being curved, while other sections incorporate square short pillars, creating a beautiful and elegant appearance, making it a distinctive structure within the park.
