Jiuru Balu Park and Playground Revitalization Project

Located in Jiuru, Pingtung, the site was originally a park developed over a decade ago. Over time, issues such as aging facilities, overgrown vegetation, spatial congestion, and overall quality decline became apparent.

As part of the county government’s “Flagship Park Initiative for Four Northern Townships,” the design team re-evaluated the site’s advantages—its position as a gateway near a highway interchange and its proximity to a primary school. The goal was to transform this 5-hectare green space into an all-age recreational environment.

Drawing from the site’s historical connection to the tobacco industry, the playground theme is linked to local industrial memory. Through spatial integration and the incorporation of social service functions, the project aspires to create a representative gateway landscape for the region.

The most distinctive highlight is an 8-meter-tall tower playground structure. Inspired by the imagery of tobacco leaves, the design transforms this motif into the outer form of the play equipment. The structure is not only a recreational facility but also a reinterpretation of local history embedded within the landscape. Its scale establishes a strong visual landmark while addressing the physical and developmental needs of children aged 2 to 12 through an age-appropriate play system.

Another feature integrates Jiuru’s local lemon industry into a sloped play installation. This introduces a playful local identity while enabling children to engage with regional culture through experience.

Beyond the playground, the park includes a large event plaza that serves as a leisure space in everyday use and transforms into a venue for markets and agricultural promotion during festivals. This reflects the park’s role as a multifunctional social service space.

Pathways, plazas, ecological ponds, and seating areas are interconnected, allowing children to play freely, parents to rest in shaded areas, and elderly visitors to walk and linger comfortably.