TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 70-hectare private golf course beside Kaohsiung’s Chengqing Lake will transition to a public park in October.
The park will retain much of the course’s greenery and typical golf furnishings. Because the site borders Chengqing Lake — a key water source and catchment area for Kaohsiung — special restrictions will apply, including a ban on pets and night closures.
The Kaohsiung City Government said dog waste could affect lake water quality. It added that dogs roaming and barking could disturb resident birds and other wildlife, affecting habitat and breeding.
According to the city, the park has 70 hectares of green space, including hills, ponds, and grasslands. The city plans 7.2 km of trails, and the design draws on natural features — for example, fallen branches from last year’s typhoon have been repurposed as seating.
According to the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society, more than 90 bird species have been recorded around Chengqing Lake, including protected species such as the crested serpent eagle, crested goshawk, and black-naped oriole. The presence of these species has prompted conservation groups to urge the city to designate the park as a nature reserve with limits on public activity.
Black-naped oriole in a tree. (Kaohsiung City Government photo)
The park will follow the Chengqing Lake Scenic Area’s opening hours: 6 a.m.–6 p.m. from April to September, and 6:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. from October to March. There will be no lighting after hours, and overnight parking will be prohibited.
The city will conduct security patrols inside and outside the park. Camping, barbecuing, fishing, and swimming are prohibited. As in other parks, sports that involve swinging bats or clubs — such as baseball and golf — are banned for safety.
In addition to paid parking for cars, scooters, and motorcycles, bicycle parking and YouBike rental stations have been set up around the park to encourage low-carbon transportation.