Millennium Park Introduction
Millennium Park, designated as "Park Site No. 2," spans an area of 13.2 hectares, making it the second largest park after Zhongshan Park in Pingtung County. It is surrounded by Dalian Road, Guangdong Road, Liberty Road, and Victory Road, all located in densely populated residential areas. Notably, the Dalian neighborhood to the east is the most populous neighborhood in Pingtung City, with over 13,000 residents. The park is situated just 200 meters southwest of Zhongshan Park, and nearby educational institutions include Pingtung University of Education, Pingtung Industrial and Commercial High School, Luxing Junior High School, Mingzheng Junior High School, and Ren'ai Elementary School, offering a rich cultural and educational environment. In the past, the Pingtung County Cultural Center (now the Cultural Affairs Bureau) and the Municipal Zhongzheng Swimming Pool were established within the park's land, which serves as a rare "lung of the city." After the Pingtung City Government initiated land acquisition for Millennium Park in 1988, Mayor Huang Ching-han ordered the complete demolition of existing structures in 1995. However, due to budget constraints, the construction was delayed. It wasn't until Mayor Wang Jin-shi took office in 1998 that funding was secured through a proposal to the Ministry of the Interior for the "Expand Domestic Demand Program – Create a New Appearance for Urban and Rural Areas" and public consultations were conducted, which led to the commencement of construction. Currently, Millennium Park has completed its first two phases of development, featuring low-impact design to preserve the park's native plant ecology and the natural improvement of Wannian Creek. It boasts greenery, scenic bridges, and flowing waters, creating a stunning environment within the urban jungle. The park was named "Millennium Park" through a vote by the citizens. It officially opened on March 12, 2001, and quickly became popular among residents. The city government frequently organizes family-friendly cultural events during weekends, such as the "Firefly Summer" ecology camp, water rocket launching, mudfish catching, and cow cart rides in the park, making it an ideal recreational spot.
