Xiaolin Village Memorial Park Introduction
In the early hours of August 9, 2009, the strong winds and heavy rains of Typhoon Morakot caused landslides at Xian Du Mountain, burying the village of Xiaolin in the Jiaxian District. The devastating disaster shocked the entire nation. To commemorate and remember the 462 villagers of Xiaolin who were buried, the Kaohsiung City Government established the Xiaolin Village Memorial Park on a high ground to the south of the original Xiaolin Village site, which was completed and opened in 2012. Covering an area of 1.7 hectares, 80% of the park is planned as green space, creating an image reminiscent of the former Xiaolin Village. The sides of the苦路 (Ku Lu) in the park are engraved with the names of the 462 deceased, and 181 Taiwanese native 山櫻花 (Mountain Cherry) saplings represent the 181 families who lost their members. The park also features a remembrance square, the Xiaolin Shrine, a viewing pavilion, and a memorial. The 9-meter tall monument is made from stones carried down by the flood from Xian Du Mountain, symbolizing the strength to give the villagers new life and to rebuild. From the memorial park, one can gaze at the site and remember those lost, which inevitably brings a sense of awe towards the merciless power of nature, leading to a greater appreciation of the present and a spirit of humility.
