Parks to grace Zhuhai here, there, and everywhere

An urban-rural network of a thousand parks -- two at state-level and one provincial -- will be developed by the city of Zhuhai by the end of 2020.

The "city of parks" design is posted on the website of the Urban Utilities & Forestry Bureau. Five types are planned.

First are urban grounds that may not be multifunctional. Considering limited space, the planning suggests more parks of this type be created in accordance with the goals of Western Eco-New Town.

Wetland parks are projected, as are forest and country gardens. Community parks will also be built, mostly in the West Wing. In addition, rural parks will be sited north of western urban areas.

Current plans are that homes will be within 500 m of a 5,000-sq-m park and within 5 km of a comprehensive one. Residents may also expect a forest or a country park to be only 10 km from their homes.

Hengqin Wetland Park [Photo courtesy hengqin.gov.cn]

Most importantly, Fenghuang Mt Forest and Hengqin Wetland parks are nascent national projects; provincial-level Sanzao Damenkou Wetland Park is also up for promotion.

Authorities will guide the planning and protection of scenic areas, forest and country parks, water systems, wetland reserves and parks, historical and cultural villages, century-old green spaces of cultural heritage protection units, and village, coastal, and island green lands.

Two scenic spots, 12 forests, 28 country parks, and eight wetland preserves will be built within city limits. Zhuzhou Water Pine Nature Reserve will be set aside in Doumen, and preservation zones at Fenghuang Mt, Guogaidong, and Zhuhao Ridge will reach provincial level.