Millennium Park Introduction
Millennium Park, officially designated as "Park Reservation No. 2," covers an area of 13.2 hectares, making it the second largest park after Chung Shan Park. It is surrounded by Dalian Road, Guangdong Road, Liberty Road, and Victory Road, which are all densely populated residential areas. Notably, the eastern area, Dalian Li, has the highest population in Pingtung City, with over 13,000 residents. The park is located 200 meters southwest of Chung Shan Park and is close to several educational institutions, including National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung Commercial and Industrial School, Luxing Junior High School, Mingzheng Junior High School, and Ren'ai Elementary School. In the past, the site housed the Pingtung County Cultural Center (now the Cultural Affairs Bureau) and the Pingtung City Zhang Zheng Swimming Pool, making it a rare "lung of the city." After the city government procured the land for Millennium Park in 1988, Mayor Huang Ching-han oversaw the demolition of existing structures in 1995; however, due to budget constraints, the construction was delayed. It wasn't until Mayor Wang Jin-shih took office in 1998 that funds were secured through a subsidy program from the Ministry of the Interior called "Expanding Domestic Demand Program - Creating New Urban and Rural Landscapes," and after soliciting public opinions, the construction process began. Currently, the first and second phases of Millennium Park have been completed, with low-impact development aimed at preserving the native plant ecology and the waterway restoration of Wannian Creek. The park features lush greenery, picturesque bridges, and flowing water, creating a stunning urban oasis. It was named "Millennium Park" through a public voting process. Opened on March 12, 2001, Millennium Park quickly became a favorite among residents. The city government frequently organizes family-friendly cultural activities on weekends, such as the "Summer Firefly" ecological experience camp, water rocket launching, mudfish catching, and ox cart rides through the park, making it a beloved recreational destination.
