CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Have you ever seen a park like this?

Quantum Pocket Park, situated between Naikai Jinyang Primary School and Chunmiao Kindergarten in Chongqing Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, was opened to the public this July. The park has been favored by many children. The 800-square-meter park displays science knowledge, including microscopic quantum and the macroscopic universe, which stimulates children's desire for scientific research.

Seen from the air, the Quantum Pocket Park consists of circular arenas of different sizes representing galaxies. The ficus virens is surrounded by an annular bench, offering a comfortable resting place for residents.

The Quantum Pocket Park is just one of the pocket parks built by Chongqing. These small parks in different shapes are creatively designed. According to the requirements of the 2023 plan to support people's livelihood, Chongqing has built 100 pocket parks, completing the annual target ahead of schedule.

Design creativity wins an international award

The Quantum Pocket Park has been selected as a gold winner in the TITAN Property Awards, said Guo Yunxi, Design Director of Chongqing Shizuo Culture Communication, the designer of the park.

“TITAN Property Awards, known as ‘the Oscar Property Awards’, is issued by the International Awards Associate (IAA) to honor the highest levels of achievement in property development, interior design, architecture, landscape design, etc. The international award means that the ‘Quantum’ Pocket Park is internationally recognized for its innovations and breakthroughs in design,” said Guo.

The pocket park was a wasteland several months ago.

Considering there are four middle schools, five primary schools, and seven kindergartens around the wasteland, the designer decided to turn it into a playground for children.

The design of the park also fits with the goal of Chongqing Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone to become a home for scientists and a city for entrepreneurs, according to the Construction Affairs Center of Chongqing Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone. The Quantum Pocket Park is internationally recognized because it transforms complex and abstract scientific concepts into simple and interesting designs, allowing children to learn more about and fall in love with science in outdoor activities.

Creative design restores the local history and culture

There are many “old” elements in the design of pocket parks. Situated between 60 Songqing Avenue and Jinxing Complex in Dadukou District, the Vegetable Commute Pocket Park was opened this June. It was filled with crop elements, carrying the memories of most local residents.

The park features a Folk Exhibit Wall, a Crop Knowledge Platform, a Harbor for Laborers, a Vegetable Wall, a Vegetable and Fruit Plantation, and a Cultural Display Wall. When walking along the footpath decorated with vegetable patterns, you will see the harvest scenes displayed in the Folk Exhibit Wall.

"A pocket park can be a carrier of history, evoking the old memories," the Urban Management Bureau of Dadukou District said. The surrounding areas of the park were planted with all kinds of vegetables on a large scale in the 1970s. Vegetable cultivation became even more influential after 1982, and these areas have undertaken most of the vegetable supply tasks in the central city for a long time.

“This history should be remembered, so we named the pocket park 'Vegetable Commute'.” With the theme of the “Vegetable Commute” culture, sculptures, and entertainment facilities in the pocket park have added zest and cultural charm to it.

Besides, there are wooden horses in the shape of pumpkins for children, rotating chairs in the shape of colored peppers, and benches in the shape of fruits such as strawberries and oranges. Dozens of real vegetables and models of common vegetables, such as broccoli, are neatly displayed on the Vegetable Wall, which is fun and educational.

Respect science and history and offer convenience for the public

“We strengthen design creativity, and at the same time, focus on repsecting science and history and offering convenience for the public,” said Wang Haomin, Director of the Park Management Division of the Chongqing Urban Management Bureau. To respect science, we have selected the site scientifically, renovated the old residential areas, institutes, commercial blocks, and parking lots nearby, and made full use of unused land, road nodes, and road corners to plan and construct pocket parks. Both the Quantum Pocket Park and Vegetable Commute are built on unused land.

“To respect history, we’ve ensured that the history, culture, and ecological environment have been under protection.” Wang Haomin added that. Besides Vegetable Commute, the design of most pocket parks in Chongqing has been integrated with local culture, such as Bayu culture and Hongyan culture.

“To offer convenience for the public, the pocket parks are equipped with age-appropriate and child-friendly sports and entertainment facilities,” said Wang. The pocket parks, including the Quantum Pocket Park, are open, economical, convenient, and accessible public spaces that meet the demands of different age groups for rest, socialization, sports, and entertainment. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)