Shita Lake Park

Shita Lake Park

Shita Lake Park is a cultural tourism attraction.

Shita Lake Park

Shita Lake Park is located to the north of Hebei Road and east of Renmin North Road. Originally a pond in the northern part of the city, the area was once a dumping ground for waste, a collection point for sewage, and severely polluted, covering an area of 3.5 hectares (with 2.4 hectares of water surface).

In October 1996, the municipal government made a major decision to comprehensively renovate and develop Shita Lake. The Urban Construction Commission coordinated the arrangements, and the Garden Authority implemented the project. Construction began in December 1996, and after six months of hard work, the park was opened to the public for free on June 1, 1997.

Prior to that, in 1986, the municipal government had allocated funds to build a 1,000-meter-long lakeside path.

A double-eaved, eight-pillar square pavilion covering 4,000 square meters was also constructed. The municipal government and the 83480 military unit stationed in Huai’an engaged in joint military-civilian construction. The military provided the water surface rights and labor, while the government funded the construction. In the same year, the military and the municipal construction company dredged soil to fill the pond, widened Renmin North Road, and expanded the land area by 0.24 hectares. The municipal company was responsible for constructing a 120-meter revetment, 260 meters of railings, and a 100-meter viewing platform. The Garden Authority was in charge of developing the garden paths and green spaces, laying down 560 square meters of pathways and creating nine flower stands (680 square meters).

In 1992, a large stone basin landscape was added, along with three stone pagodas placed in the lake. A total of 1,348 trees, shrubs, and flowers of 27 species were planted, and 1,200 square meters of lawn were laid. The lighting project mainly featured garden lights around the lake, neon lights at key scenic spots, and 12 advertising light boxes installed along the railing of Renmin South Road to facilitate night visits. The same year, the project was commended by the Jiangsu Provincial Government.

Key scenic features include the entrance architectural ensemble, the Fangxiao Amusement Area, the Fengwan Tea House ensemble, as well as auxiliary park facilities such as boat ticket offices.

The park is situated in the old town and is close to the Youth Palace, the District Cultural Center, and the City Museum (old building), making it a great leisure spot for both youth and seniors.