Da'an Forest Park Introduction
Daan Forest Park is located in the Daan District, situated in the city center, covering an area of 25.9293 hectares, and is nicknamed the "Lung of the City." The main entrance square features densely planted flower beds and foliage plants, combined with a Buddha statue area and bamboo forest to the south (planted with bottle bamboo, green bamboo, golden thread bamboo,桂竹, and square bamboo), creating a unique garden landscape. There is a natural pond on the northwest side of the park, covering 0.7 hectares, surrounded by and planted with golden trumpet vine, red-leaf hibiscus, canna lily, and soft-branch yellow cicada, adorned with ferns climbing on the rocky island. Colorful koi fish swim in the pond, often attracting visitors who stop to admire the view. The central area of the park features an open-air music stage with a natural wave-like design, accommodating nearly a thousand spectators, making it a hub for cultural performances in Taipei. Surrounding the music stage are aromatic plant areas planted with magnolias, gardenias, and other fragrant plants, filling the air with a pleasant scent, also serving as a barrier-free leisure area of the park. In the southeast corner, one can see palm trees with a tropical flair, including royal palms, Alexander palms, bottle palms, and peacock palms. Strolling through gives a feeling of being in a tropical palm forest. Two main pathways run through the park from east to west and one from north to south, interspersed with shrubs and flowerbeds that enhance the landscape. The park is constructed with a forest theme, providing visitors with pleasing greenery, along with several pavilions and resting areas for relaxation. Along Jianguo South Road, there are numerous bougainvillea plants that display vibrant colors when in bloom, resembling colorful ribbons that enhance the beauty of the park. Due to its location in the city center, Daan Forest Park attracts numerous visitors daily, especially in the morning and during sunset, drawing nearby residents to the park for activities such as exercising, walking, dancing, and playing. The park includes a children's playground, and there is an underground parking facility that can accommodate small cars over two levels, alleviating parking difficulties for visitors. In the congested, heavily polluted, and heat-affected urban area of Taipei, this purely recreational "urban forest" park serves as a refreshing "lung of the city," helping to purify the air, reduce noise, and regulate temperature. Visitors can enjoy the park's flowers, appreciate performances on the music stage, and indulge in "forest bathing" to relax both body and mind while wandering through the beautiful scenery. In 2014, in order to enhance the natural resources and ecological value of Daan Forest Park, the Daan Forest Park Friends Foundation has been promoting ecological initiatives, integrating efforts from industry, government, academia, and the public to focus on the balanced development of tree growth and biodiversity. Besides striving to create a lush park environment, the foundation also promotes ecological conservation and environmental education through the establishment of the "Daan Forest WOOD Student Ecological Information Network," providing engaging illustrations and interactive ecological knowledge about the diverse ecosystems of the park, such as colorful birds, fireflies, azaleas, and various bird species. This initiative further highlights the underlying concepts, practices, and careful maintenance of ecological creation. Next time you stroll through Daan Forest Park, please slow down, observe more carefully, and engage in a delightful conversation with nature.
