Taiwan's Hsinchu County to Build Skateboarding Park Under Railway Overpass Next Year

Hsinchu County, Taiwan, is set to transform an underutilized space beneath the Liujia railway line into a modern skateboarding park, expected to open next year. The initiative, driven by local demand for youth recreational facilities, addresses a shortage of outdoor sports venues in the densely populated Zhubei City.

The Hsinchu County Government has secured a 10-year lease with Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) for the approximately 4,048 square meter site near the Touqian River堤. This agreement allows the county to repurpose the land, which has largely been barren and dusty, into a dedicated facility for extreme sports.

County Councilor Lin Yu-yu championed the project, highlighting the long-standing issue of idle land under the elevated railway. He proposed to TRA that the space be utilized for youth sports, leading to the current plan. Initially, ball sports were considered, but concerns over safety and potential interference with train operations led to the suggestion of a skateboarding park or an off-road cycling trail.

"The county government has signed a 10-year lease with TRA. This year, we will allocate the budget, and next year, we will plan, design, and contract the construction," stated the Education Bureau. The goal is to create a spacious and well-equipped skateboarding park to encourage more young people to engage in outdoor recreational activities.