Pingtung County Min Park Introduction
In 1909, the Pingtung Sugar Factory began operations, which stimulated the development of the agricultural industry on the northern bank of the Shashe River. The county government transformed part of the Taiwan Sugar Corporation's land into the "Taiwan Sugar County Park," which opened 9 hectares for public use on October 15, 2018. The park features historical relics of a paper factory, an interesting themed playground, a sugar industry timeline water feature, a large square, and vast open grass fields for recreation. To highlight the significance of Taiwan Sugar in Pingtung, the county government incorporated the concept of ladybugs, which can resist pests, into the design of the themed playground that reflects the early sugarcane plantation legacy. Numerous ladybugs were installed, creating a lively playground space, symbolizing courage and boundless hope in pursuing dreams, while also transmitting the idea of embracing challenges alongside the historical and cultural heritage. Additionally, following the 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival in Pingtung, several lantern installations from the festival have been relocated to the park, illuminating the county park once more. Currently, to provide a more comfortable and engaging recreational space for residents, the "Pingtung County Park," which took over 5 years and a total budget of 390 million NTD to complete, officially opened on February 5, 2021. The county government revitalized the abandoned remnants of the old Taiwan Sugar pulp mill that had been left for 27 years, integrating them into the new blue-green belt along the banks of the Shashe River, creating the first park in Taiwan centered around industrial relics, which features a composite waterfront corridor. The park spans 20 hectares, incorporating elements of history, culture, ecology, landscape, and waterways. Its unique design creates a new landscape that bridges the past and present, allowing the old industrial site to regenerate as a diverse ecological recreational experience.
