Dakeng Trails No. 9, 9-1, and 10, located near the urban area and interconnected to form a one-day hiking network, have long been a top choice for visitors who enjoy hiking and fitness. However, the lack of public restrooms has been an ongoing issue. The Taichung City Government prioritizes service quality along these trails and is committed to optimizing the scenic environment. This year, funding was allocated to construct a new public restroom beside Trail No. 9-1 to address the demand. The restroom was completed and opened on December 14th, integrating concepts of accessibility and family-friendliness with the local landscape features of Dakeng. It features vibrant colors in a fresh and lively style, and has received widespread praise from the public since its opening.
Lin Hsiao-chi, Director of the Tourism and Travel Bureau, said that public restrooms are among the most fundamental and visible aspects of municipal services. The newly completed public restroom is located at the front section of Trail No. 9-1, which usually sees a constant flow of hikers, especially during holidays. Previously, the public restrooms built by the city’s Public Works Bureau near the 921 Earthquake Memorial Park and surrounding areas were often fully occupied. Moreover, due to limitations in water supply and electricity along Trails No. 9 and 10, restroom facilities could not be installed, causing long-term inconvenience for visitors.
The newly built restroom meets the needs of hikers, including separate male, female, and accessible/family restrooms. In addition to incorporating design elements inspired by Dakeng’s ecological features, it also addresses previous issues such as poor ventilation and lighting in older restrooms. Considering that the surrounding trails are suitable for families, a family restroom has been thoughtfully added. The exterior of the restroom uniquely reflects local ecological characteristics, featuring reliefs and murals of wildlife native to the area such as the crested goshawk, spotted butterfly, and Formosan macaque, giving visitors the feeling of being in a hidden natural paradise in Dakeng. This creates an eco-themed, family-friendly restroom environment.
Lin Hsiao-chi noted that the decision to build additional restrooms stemmed from recognizing both the insufficient number of facilities in Dakeng and the lack of family-friendly spaces. The new restroom uses soft tones to create a bright interior and exterior while reflecting the ecological landscape of Dakeng. It includes independently accessible and family-friendly spaces, improving the public’s previous impression of restrooms as malodorous, dull in appearance, and lacking facilities for families. Additionally, new accessible ramp routes have been added to create a more family-friendly environment.
The Tourism and Travel Bureau emphasized that it will continue to listen to local feedback to ensure the sustainable development of Dakeng tourism. The bureau has successfully secured a budget from the Environmental Protection Administration for 2020 to improve restrooms at Dakeng Guanyin Pavilion and Dajia Iron Anvil Mountain Hexagonal Pavilion. The goal is to transform the hiking environments of Dakeng and Iron Anvil Mountain into new regional highlights and further establish Taichung as a happy, livable, and friendly city.
(China Times)