Xinyu Coastal Botanical Garden Introduction
Xinwu Coastal Botanical Garden is located at the former site of Yong'an Snow Forest Recreation Area, covering approximately 6 hectares. After the recreation area ceased operations, it became a habitat for various species of flora and fauna. After a year of investigation by the Coastal Management Office of the local government, it was found that there are as many as 250 species of plants and animals, which have significant value for forest recreation, ecological conservation, and environmental education. As a result, the idle land was revitalized to become Taiwan's first coastal botanical garden, officially opened to the public on October 19, 2020. Although Taoyuan is an industrial settlement, it is committed to protecting coastal ecology. The botanical garden contains a rich diversity of wildlife and natural forest characteristics. This includes coastal plants like Casuarina equisetifolia and Hibiscus tiliaceus, as well as native species like Lantana camara, and mammals such as the red-bellied tree squirrel and skunk, along with protected bird species like the black winged kite, the crowned eagle, and the whiskered tern. In the future, the garden will collaborate with local communities, schools, and NGOs to provide various services, establishing an ecological demonstration site centered on environmental education. In addition to natural ecology, the park has developed the "Xinwu Coastal Botanical Garden APP" game program aimed at students and family groups, which offers ecological tours and a variety of experiential activities to create an educational ecological environment, allowing the public to experience nature and ecological education in an environmentally friendly manner. The park is designed with minimal human interference and construction, featuring no artificial lighting, and the entrance signage is made from driftwood from coastal areas. Currently, the outdated facilities have been dismantled, and the surrounding weeds have been removed, allowing visitors to stroll through and enjoy the different aspects of the forest. In the botanical garden, one can see various mechanisms of coastal plants that resist wind and drought, such as the fragrant sea ginger, used as a spice in cooking, and the drought-resistant Portulaca oleracea. The Xinwu Coastal Botanical Garden is close to Yong'an Fishing Port, Houhu Creek, the Conch Cultural Experience Park, and the Youth Experience Park, and is located within the Xinwu Ocean Hakka Leisure Agricultural Area. In the future, it can integrate with surrounding attractions to drive the development of the ecological tourism industry, create job opportunities, stimulate economic activities, and promote balanced development of tourism and recreation along the Yong'an Fishing Port. (Source: Coastal Management Office of the local government)
