By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — The first phase of a major renovation of Sanmin Park (三民公園) is expected to be completed by Nov. 27, with a second phase scheduled to finish in August next year, officials said.
The Liberty Times reports that the roughly 5-hectare park, known locally for its Democracy Speech Plaza (民主言論廣場), has served residents for more than 40 years but has also faced complaints over gambling, homeless people sleeping in public areas at night, and scooters cutting through the park.
Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Kang Yu-cheng (康裕成) said the park also has aging facilities, damaged pavement, insufficient nighttime lighting, limited accessibility planning, and poor-quality greenbelt spaces.
Kang said the central and local governments are investing NT$150 million in the renovation. The original plan had called for removing 61 large trees, but it was revised after discussions with environmental groups. The final plan will transplant 20 diseased trees while keeping most of the shaded central tree corridor, she said.
The Parks Office said the first phase, focused on improving the park’s central axis, is over 11 percent complete and is expected to finish in late November. The second phase, covering both sides of the park, sports courts, and restrooms, has entered the tender process and is expected to be completed next August.
Kang recently inspected the project with Legislator Lee Kun-tse (李昆澤). She said the park is heavily used by residents and needs a comprehensive renovation to address long-running problems while reducing disruption during construction.
Kaohsiung City Councilor Chang Po-yang (張博洋) said he hoped the renovated park could support ecological education for nearby schools and create stronger links between the park and the local library. He also suggested the upgraded lawn could be used for camping-style activities, markets, and small unplugged evening concerts.
