Daxi Port Lake Bay Children's Friendly Wetland Park

Situated in Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, China, the Daxi Port Lake Bay Children's Friendly Park is nestled alongside Gonghu Bay, a scenic part of the vast Lake Tai — the third-largest freshwater lake in the country. In 2007, Lake Tai suffered a severe blue algae pollution outbreak, leading to city-wise widespread water contamination and water shortages. This crisis initiated the ecological restoration and rehabilitation of Daxi Port. The improved ecological environment has spurred regional development and population growth, leading to a heightened need among the nearby communities and urban residents for more vibrant park spaces where they can engage in leisure and social activities. Existing parks urgently required improvement.



One of the primary challenges in creating an active and vibrant children's park for the community and the city was how to appropriately integrate the most suitable functions into different sections. This included addressing the site's varied elevation transitions, preserving the existing trees to the greatest extent possible, protecting the original ecological foundation and the memory of the original site, and creating habitats for wildlife.



The park's design, following the philosophy of ‘Child-Friendly + Eco-First’, incorporated the natural elements of the site. Various thematic ecological scenes were created, using diverse wetlands and plant types, to establish an educational and recreational space for children that fosters a connection with nature. The design team revitalized the park, incorporating children's play areas and improving the slow traffic system, thereby reconnecting children with nature and enhancing human-nature relationships.



Since its opening six months ago, the park has hosted numerous natural science activities, engaging nearly a thousand young people and children. These experiential activities aim to inspire a new generation to become future guardians of our natural ecological environment.



The park has also become a multifunctional "living room" for citizens and tourists, acting as the city's ecological backyard. It stands as a testament to the successful pollution control and ecological restoration of Lake Tai. With its rich ecological experiences and activity spaces, the park creates a unique sense of place and evokes respect for the water bodies we depend upon.