Youth Park Introduction
Youth Park is a comprehensive open park in the Greater Taipei metropolitan area, located in the western side of Wanhua District, Taipei City. It is bordered by Guoxing Road to the east, Changqing Youth Road to the west, Shuiyuan Road to the south, and Youth Road to the north, covering an area of 24.44 hectares. Its land dates back to the Japanese colonial period, originally serving as a military training ground before being converted into an airport. Due to its location at the southern end of Taipei City, opposite the northern Songshan Airport, it was referred to as the Southern Airport. In 1953, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Defense, the Taipei Country Club established the Taipei Golf Club. On the Youth Day of 1974, following a directive from the Executive Yuan, the Taipei City Government took over the golf course and converted it into Youth Park. The official takeover occurred in October of that year, and it was completed in September 1977, becoming a popular leisure spot for citizens of Taipei. The park is well-equipped with facilities, features lush foliage, and has beautiful scenery. Sports facilities include a (ticketed) golf course adjacent to Guoxing Road, eight swimming pools along Shuiyuan Road, and six tennis courts on the southern side of the park. The swimming pool building also houses a billiards room. Free recreational facilities are available throughout the park, including basketball courts, badminton courts, baseball fields, an ice skating rink, a tennis practice wall, and outdoor sports fields. Additional facilities include a potted plant center, reading room, audiovisual classroom, outdoor music stage, and a police station to serve citizens and visitors. In addition to various hardware facilities, the park's landscaping, greenery, and plant distribution are key components in enhancing its beauty. The main entrance to the park features a flowerbed arranged radiantly with vibrant blossoms such as Balsam, Cockscomb, Firecracker Plant, Cigar Flower, Butterfly Pea Flower, and Gold Carp Flower. Surrounding shrubs include Azaleas, Wax Apples, Copperleaf Plants, and Podocarpus trees, creating a colorful and captivating atmosphere as one enters the park. The central area of the park is covered in lush grass, with orderly green lawns encircled by Banyan trees, forming a dense green canopy tunnel. From a distance, one can view a sea of greenery, and wandering through these areas feels like being in a forest bath, refreshing both body and mind. In the grass area, there is a coniferous forest (Araucaria) nearby, where many citizens exercise in the morning, promoting health. At the rear side of the grassy area, a waterway connects to the northeastern curved bridge of the park. Aquatic plants are densely planted along both sides of the pond, and numerous fountains enhance the landscape. Additionally, a grove of maple trees flourishes on the east side of the baseball field, showcasing picturesque autumn foliage when the leaves fall. The rhododendrons planted around the park bloom vibrantly in spring, further enhancing the park's beauty. The park is adorned with a mix of trees, shrubs, grass, flower beds, pavilions, health trails, and sculptures. The pathways are wide, with attractions throughout, making it an excellent example of a large-scale comprehensive park. Youth Park offers a spacious and diverse environment equipped with facilities for rest, exercise, social education, and rehabilitation, catering to people of all ages, including both the able-bodied and those with disabilities. The park's beauty not only comes from its landscapes but also relies on community involvement to enjoy, cherish, and protect, ultimately celebrating the achievements of municipal development.
