Youth Park Introduction
Youth Park is a comprehensive open park located in the Wanhua District on the west side of Taipei City, part of the Greater Taipei Metropolitan Area. It is bordered by Guoxing Road to the east, Xinping Youth Road to the west, Shuiyuan Road to the south, and Youth Road to the north, covering an area of 24.44 hectares. The land dates back to the Japanese colonial era, originally serving as a training ground before it was converted to an airport, earning the name "Nanjichang" due to its location at the southern end of Taipei City, opposite to the Songshan Airport in the north. In 1953, the Taipei Country Club, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense, established the Taipei Golf Club. On Youth Day in 1974, the park was taken over by the Taipei City Government upon the directive of the Executive Yuan, undergoing renovations to become Youth Park, and the official takeover was completed in October of the same year. It was finished in September 1977, becoming a great recreational spot for Taipei citizens. The park features well-maintained facilities, blooming flowers, and beautiful scenery. On-site sports facilities include a golf course (ticket required) adjacent to Guoxing Road, eight swimming pools along Shuiyuan Road, and six tennis courts on the southern side of the park. The pool building also houses a billiard room. Free recreational facilities available include basketball courts, badminton courts, baseball fields, a skating rink, tennis practice walls, and outdoor sports fields scattered throughout the park. Additionally, the park offers social education service facilities such as a bonsai garden, reading room, audiovisual classroom, outdoor music stage, and a police station to serve citizens and visitors. Beyond these physical facilities, the planning of the park's landscape, the arrangement of green spaces, and the distribution of planting are fundamentally aimed at enhancing the park's aesthetics. The main entrance features a radiating flowerbed planted with vibrant flowers like balsam, cockscomb, string of jewels, cigar plant, butterfly flower, and golden dew drop. The back area is adorned with shrubs such as azaleas, Chinese red, croton, and Podocarpus, giving a feeling of abundant blooms and a colorful atmosphere upon entering the park. The central area of the park is extensively covered with grass, creating a lush green carpet surrounded by banyan trees that form a dense canopy, providing shade. From a distance, it presents a sea of green, and wandering through it feels like being in a forest bath, refreshing both body and mind. The lawn area is also flanked by coniferous forests (Araucaria) where many citizens exercise in the mornings, promoting health. At the rear of the lawn, water channels connect to the winding bridge located in the northeastern part of the park. Aquatic plants are densely planted along both sides of the pond, and there are fountains throughout, enhancing the scenic view. Furthermore, several maple trees are planted on the eastern side of the baseball field, which have matured over the years and become a maple forest. During the autumn leaf season, the fallen maple leaves contribute to the winter scenery. The park is also surrounded by azaleas which bloom vividly in spring, adding to the park's beauty. In addition, the park is filled with trees and shrubs, with well-arranged flowerbeds, park benches, pavilions, health walking paths, and sculptures. The park's pathways are wide and well-placed with scenic spots, making it an excellent example of a large integrated park. Youth Park's vast area and diverse, well-equipped facilities provide citizens with spaces for relaxation, exercise, social education, and rehabilitation. Suitable for individuals of all ages, including those with disabilities or health concerns, it invites everyone to enjoy the park. To truly appreciate the park's beauty, it requires the cooperation of the community to enjoy, protect, and cherish the results of municipal construction.
