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A hidden rainwater base in the park

Located at the intersection of Zhongxiao Road and Bade Road, Yipin Park is a urban green space in Hsinchu City with high traffic. The site slopes from east to west, and the surrounding area is densely packed with residential areas, commercial areas, and paved roads. During rainfall, water easily accumulates, and the existing paving materials, mostly non-permeable, not only fail to cope with sudden heavy rain but also contribute to rising ground temperatures and reduced comfort for recreational use.

This renovation project began with the question, "Where does the rainwater go?" It reconsiders the functions and potential of urban green spaces. The design team turned its attention to the area surrounding the skate park in the middle of the park, transforming the originally single-purpose plaza into a rain garden with multiple values including rainwater regulation, cooling and comfort, ecological planting, and landscape education. Through slight adjustments to the terrain and redesigning the pavement, the park is no longer a place for rainwater to quickly flow away, but a natural space to retain, guide, utilize, and appreciate water.

The original challenges

Although Yipin Park is located at a key transportation hub, the original plaza featured a single paving design, where surface runoff concentrated without any infiltration facilities. This caused localized water accumulation and poor user experience. The central plaza was covered with large areas of gravel, which had poor drainage and restricted plant growth, resulting in limited plant variety and a lack of visual layering. Additionally, the space was previously used primarily for passage and simple activities, lacking opportunities for interaction with the environmentand making it difficult to develop natural experiences or educational functions.

Rain garden design concepts

The overall design retains the park's original circular visual flow and adds three rain garden zones on either side. With permeable concrete paving and strategic plant placement, surface drainage and rainwater collection are integrated into a single system. These gardens not only add greenery but also filter rainwater through the planting systems, reduce surface runoff, and lower surface temperatures in summer.

The source of collected rainwater comes from runoff on surrounding paved surfaces, which is directed through underground infiltration pipes into a storage tank for retention and storage. This water will become a resource for irrigation or educational demonstrations. Additionally, explanatory signage and faucets are installed so that park visitors can better understand the hidden functions of the park during their leisure time.

In terms of planting, drought-resistant, butterfly-attracting, and seasonally varied herbaceous plants were selected, including species such as Chinese silver grass, short-leaved Malacca galingale, crimson fountaingrass, creeping bentgrass, common lantana, and wheatgrass. Through height layering and color contrast, a rich ecological landscape is created.

Transformation after the transformation

After the renovation, the park's drainage capacity improved, and permeable features were integrated into the pavement, allowing water to gradually infiltrate, be retained, and reused. A variety of surface materials support both pedestrian use and environmental cooling. The newly added rain gardens offer both visual and ecological experiences, turning the once-monotonous plaza into a green node filled with details.

Within the garden, butterfly-attracting and flowering plants are interspersed, creating a habitat that coexists with pedestrian leisure areas. The overall water diversion and storage system operates stably, and simple explanatory designs help the general public easily understand how this space silently improves the city's water environment. It is no longer just a pass-through plaza, but a green corner of the city where people can pause, appreciate and learn about nature, and interact with rainwater.