Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    WALKING north on a greenway along Futian River shows recreators a complete cycling path that’s linked by underground tunnels or footbridges over the river, and is emblatic of park improvements and connections taking place across Futian District.

    Shenzhen Central Park, for example, covers 141 hectares, is divided into five sections and, after recent renovations, is becoming a new center for leisure and sports for visitors and residents alike.

    Central Park links with Bijia Hill Park in the north and with Shennan Boulevard in the south. It’s nearly one quarter the size of Futian’s CBD.

    Futian’s second phase of park developments, expected to be completed in 2014, features more cultural and sports facilities in the Fuhua and Hongli areas of Central Park.

    The Fuhua area in the park’s south end will contain a botanic garden with camellia trees, open squares and pavilions that give people room to dance, play games or simply rest and relax.

    The Hongli area on the park’s north side will focus on promoting science and nature, with a 300-square-meter science museum and facilities for bird-watching. The area also will include basketball and croquet facilities.

    Futian planners intend to connect Central Park with Lianhua Hill Park and Bijia Hill Park by footbridge corridors that will enable residents to travel between parks.

    Futian is endeavoring to build a greenway network that will link parks, communities and small roadside parks. In two or three years, a 55-km greenbelt will connect Meilin Hill in the north with the mangrove nature reserve in the south, Shenzhen Central Park in the east and Qiaocheng Road East in the west.