Chongqing to Open Over 50 Urban Green Spaces This Year

Chongqing - To better serve its citizens, Chongqing plans to open more than 50 urban green spaces within the year, according to the Chongqing Urban Management Bureau.

On May 28th, the Horseweed flowers blossomed at the Huashitan Riverside Park in Dadukou District, Chongqing, creating a romantic purple sea of flowers that attracted many residents to take photos for social media. (Photo/Zhong Zhibing)

Improving supporting facilities to meet citizens' needs

Li Qing, an elementary school teacher living near Chongqing Central Park, often gathers with friends in the park during her free time. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Li doesn't have to bring much equipment as the park provides well-established facilities. Near the grassy areas are drinking water stations offering hot and cold water and vending machines nearby where various beverages can be purchased.

According to the implementation plan for the pilot project of shared urban green areas in Chongqing, released at the end of April, Chongqing Central Park is one of the pilot parks. The first batch of pilot parks includes 35 parks with 59 shared green areas.

On May 20th, the residents enjoyed the beautiful bloom of small yellow chrysanthemums at the Dongliang River Ecological Park in Jiangbei District. (Photo/Zhong Zhibing)

Wang Haomin, director of the Park Management Department of the Chongqing Urban Management Bureau, points out that shared urban green areas aim to benefit all age groups and make people's life more convenient. 

As the pilot phase is still underway, the bureau actively seeks feedback and suggestions from the public regarding improving supporting facilities. "For example, some citizens want more public toilets and prefer them to be located near activity areas. Others desire more parking spaces," explained Wang.

Ensure safety, convenience and comfort

Adjusting park layouts aims to ensure visitors' safety, convenience, and comfort. For instance, in Jinhaiwan Riverside Park, in Liangjiang New Area, areas such as lawns, forests, and open spaces have been designated camping sites and picnic spots. Additional parking lots have been added along Binjiang Road, and tea-drinking areas have been created near the riverbank. 

Mrs. Liu, who lives near the park, used to spend most of her time indoors but is now willing to walk in the park. She expressed her satisfaction: "The park has a serene environment, and I can enjoy the river view while reading in the tearoom. It's an enjoyable experience."

On May 19th, citizens were seen strolling and exercising with umbrellas on the Jiubin Road Riverside Park waterfront promenade in Chongqing. (Photo/Zhong Zhibing)

 "We mainly consider three factors in our work guidelines," explained Wang Haomin. These factors include ensuring safety and accessibility, providing inclusivity and convenience, and promoting ecological preservation and comfort.

To ensure safety and accessibility, the urban management department selects relatively flat terrain with adequate emergency support, allowing easy access to lawns, forests, and open spaces. Efforts are made to improve transportation connections and optimize route guidance, enhancing accessibility and participation. For example, in Shaping Park, the signage system is clear and precise, with location signs, direction signs, and maps that help visitors quickly identify their orientation.

Inclusivity and convenience require careful consideration of citizens' daily recreational habits. The selection of popular parks with high visitation rates, well-established supporting facilities, and an evenly distributed layout allows the shared green areas to cater to more citizens.

From an ecological and comfortable perspective, shared green areas are chosen based on favorable environmental conditions, beautiful scenery, and expansive views. While ensuring safety, these areas are expanded to offer citizens and visitors more opportunities to engage in nature-related activities. For example, Shanhu Park in Yuzhong District has extended its shared green areas to the riverbank,  building 20,000 square meters of lawn.

Make shared green areas sustainable

In some urban parks with shared green areas, the lawns in the open sections grow unevenly, especially in areas frequented by the public, where some grass has turned yellow and withered.

On May 20th, the coral park in Yuzhong District, Chongqing, boasted abundant waterfront vegetation, making it an excellent place for residents to exercise and relax. (Photo/Zhong Zhibing)

"There is no need to worry too much as the lawns also undergo rotation maintenance," reassured Wang Haomin. The forthcoming guideline for plant maintenance in open spaces explicitly defines the rotation maintenance mechanism. Based on the characteristics of the plants, a schedule for rotational breaks of the lawns in the open areas is established, gradually promoting the practice of zone-specific lawn maintenance. For example, Chongqing Central Park implements a phased opening and segmented management of the green regions to facilitate rotational maintenance of the lawns.

"Apart from the rotation break, Chongqing is exploring the standard for plan growing and protecting and learning lessons from practice." Wang Haomin indicates that Chongqing will perfect the standard for plant growing and protection and the guideline for the site selection, supporting facilities, maintenance management, visitor service, and emergency management for the open and shared areas.

（Yang Yuanchun, as an intern, also contributed to the report）