Riverside Park

　　Riverside Park? Xiaosha River Park? The Xiaosha River in Xuecheng originates from Yuanzhai Mountain and Jushan Mountain in Xuecheng District, flowing through Xincheng and the eastern part of Xuecheng District (the old course of the Xiaosha River runs through the urban area and joins the Xiaosha River downstream at Zhuzhuang Village. The Xiaozhuang River originates between Shuangding Mountain and Jiuding Mountain, passes through Cao’wo and Dongxixiaozhuang to the east of the Beijing-Shanghai Railway, where it merges with the Xiaosha River). It eventually drains into Weishan Lake. The main stream is 16.6 kilometers long, with a drainage area of 64.9 square kilometers and an annual runoff of over 17 million cubic meters. It is one of the main pollution-receiving waterways in the urban area. In 2005, the urban section of the Xiaosha River underwent dredging and management, implementing separate stormwater and sewage systems. Over the past three years, 30 million yuan has been invested to widen the river channel to 120 meters, with a treatment length of 5 kilometers, resulting in a significant improvement in water quality. Today, the Xiaosha River has been transformed into the beautiful Riverside Park. As you stroll along the riverside path, you’ll find clear waters, weeping willows, and distinctive sculptures, as well as landmarks such as the Basket Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, and Zigzag Bridge that invite you to pause and admire. The park covers an area of 60 hectares and is divided into three scenic sections: south, north, and central, making it a large-scale, open riverside green space. The northern section is the National Fitness Park, which was completed and opened in August 2006. It features 64 types and 124 sets of fitness equipment, divided into three functional areas for the elderly, teenagers, and children, integrating fitness, leisure, and entertainment. Since its completion, the National Fitness Park has welcomed thousands of visitors daily for exercise, earning widespread praise from residents. The central section is the Children’s Amusement Park, which includes an artificial lake, classical pavilions, zigzag bridges, cascades, fountains, flower stands, and trellises, along with amusement facilities such as bumper cars, roller rinks, trampolines, paddle boats, and carousel rides to meet the recreational needs of teenagers and children. The southern section is the Elderly Sports and Fitness Park, equipped with six gateball courts, two bocce ball courts, a 1,000-square-meter open-air dance area, fishing ponds, and landscape sculptures. In recent years, the district has successfully hosted large-scale performances featuring qigong, martial arts, dancing, and aerobics with thousands of participants, as well as over 200 various elderly sports competitions, all of which have been highly popular among senior citizens. Overall, the park features a rational layout, complete facilities, and well-arranged, mutually complementing scenic spots, making it an excellent venue for leisure, entertainment, sightseeing, and relaxation.