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From a flooding hotspot to a friendly green corne

Kangle Park is located in the Hsinchu Harbor Specialized District, near the intersection of Section 3, Dongda Road and Dongda Road. It is one of the main places for daily recreation and activities for local residents. The park’s original paving was mainly concrete, which is impervious. Combined with the sloping road surfaces nearby and low-lying terrain, it frequently experienced water accumulation during heavy rain, especially in the area near the basketball court, where water depth could reach 0.5 to 2 meters. Although there were stormwater inlets and drainage facilities in place, due to the paving materials and flow direction, the actual infiltration and storage were limited. Additionally, the unclear traffic routes, aging paving, and monotonous planting further reduced the comfort and safety of the overall use.

Renovation strategy: turning problems into educational and environmental resources

This renovation focused on the park's existing water accumulation issues and confusing traffic flow. The most flood-prone area was transformed into a rain garden, with the introduction of permeable paving and water retention facilities. Through comprehensive paving and planting design, the area was turned into an outdoor learning space with environmental education functions.

All of the original concrete paving was removed and replaced with permeable concrete and stabilized gravel surfaces, allowing rainwater to quickly infiltrate into the underground storage layer, slowing down runoff and reducing pressure on the drainage system. The system also includes an underground storage facility with a capacity of 15 m³, quickly and effectively regulating water during peak rainfall. In addition to updating the paving, new curved seating and planting buffer zones were added to the park to enrich the overall landscape and provide comfortable resting spaces. The new traffic flow design also clearly distinguishes between the entrance and the core area, improving spatial legibility and usage efficiency.

Rain garden design and ecological education function

The newly constructed rain garden covers an area of 31 square meters, with 88 square meters of permeable concrete paving, and includes an underground water storage space capable of storing 15 cubic meters. Rainwater is collected from nearby pavements and drainage systems, flowing into the storage layer for infiltration or future reuse.

The planting plan emphasizes low maintenance and ecological diversity, using more than eight types of ground cover and flowering plants such as bluemink, lily of the Nile, Old World forked fern, Nephrolepis, and Indian aster . These create seasonal variation and color layering, attracting insects and birds. The overall landscape configuration considers both visual guidance and ecological habitat creation, making the rain garden not just a water retention facility, but also a space for nature observation and outdoor education. Explanatory signs and illustration displays are installed throughout the park to help the public understand the workings of the rainwater cycle and enhance awareness of climate adaptation and sustainable use.

Integration of rainwater management and human-centered design

The renovated Kangle Park is no longer merely a collection of drainage facilities. It is now a demonstration site of green infrastructure that integrates ecological functions, aesthetic design, and educational meaning. With its highly permeable paving, clear traffic flow, user-friendly leisure areas, and ecological planting system, the overall spatial quality has been significantly improved. It also provides a practical example of climate resilience in urban public spaces. Today's Kangle Park is not just a walking path for citizens or a playground for children — it is a city's green lung that breathes and stores water.