Pingtung Municipal Park Introduction
The Pingtung Sugar Factory began operations in 1909, which initiated 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 People's Park," which was opened for public use on October 15, 2018, encompassing 9 hectares. The park features historical sites from the pulp factory, unique playgrounds, the Sugar Industry Year Wheel water feature, the Big Tree Plaza, and vast grassy areas for recreation. To highlight the significance of Taiwan Sugar in Pingtung, the county government incorporated the concept of cultivating sugarcane for sugar production and the beneficial role of ladybugs in pest control into the design of the playground. This was complemented by the surrounding sugarcane landscape on the hills, resulting in numerous ladybug installations that create a vibrant and lively play area. The ladybugs symbolize the courage and endless hope in pursuing dreams, emphasizing the playground's historical and cultural significance while also conveying the idea of embracing challenges. Additionally, in conjunction with the 2019 Taiwan Lantern Festival, several lantern displays from the festival were relocated to the park, further illuminating the County People’s Park. As of February 5, 2021, the "Pingtung County People's Park," which took over five years and an investment of 390 million NTD to develop, officially opened to provide a more comfortable and interesting recreational space for residents. The county government revitalized the long-abandoned structure of the old Taiwan Sugar pulp factory and integrated it into the new blue and green belt along the Shashe River, creating Taiwan’s first park that focuses on industrial heritage and features a composite waterfront corridor. The park spans 20 hectares and combines elements of history, culture, ecology, landscape, and waterfront, reflecting a unique design that creates a new landscape connecting the past and present, allowing the old industrial site to be reborn as a space for diverse ecological recreational experiences.
