Daan Forest Park
Daan Forest Park () is a public park near the centre of the Da'an District of Taipei, Taiwan. The park occupies twenty-six hectares and is bordered on its north, south, east and west by Xinyi Road, Heping Road, Jianguo Road and Xinsheng Road, respectively. The park is used by residents of Taipei as a green activity space and for various outdoor activities. The park was created in 1994 after the eviction of longtime squatters and the demolition of illegal buildings on municipal land, not by mayor Chen Shui-bian, as is often cited, but by his predecessor , Huang Ta-chou. History. The land that would become Daan Forest Park was designated urban parkland in 1932 by Japanese authorities as Park Number Seven. The Republic of China government used these areas to build military dependents' villages. Aside from the military facilities, the International House of Taipei was also constructed, and the land housed several thousand people at its peak population density, many of them refugees of the Chinese Civil War. The Taipei City Government planned to build a park on the land by 1989, after a previous decision to construct a stadium met with opposition from environmentalists. After  a long legal battle, 12,000 squatters were evicted from an informal settlement in April 1992, allowing the Daan Forest Park to be built. Prior to the park's formal opening to the public on 29 March 1994, a 1985 statue of Guanyin created by became a subject of controversy. Former residents of the Daan Forest Park wanted it removed but were opposed by several prominent Buddhist leaders, including , Hsing Yun and . The municipal government eventually agreed to retain the statue as public art if it were not used for religious purposes. Despite opening to the public in March 1994, the  park's facilities were not fully operational and construction was still underway, leading to the nickname Mud Park. Daan Forest Park was intended to play a similar role as other major city parks such as New York City's Central Park and London's Hyde Park, acting as the "lungs of Taipei city" and as respite for residents from the bustle of life in Taipei. Similar to the large parks of other cities, Daan Park is surrounded by high price luxury condominiums that fetch a premium due to their desirable views, some reaching the price of $400 million New  Taiwan dollars (approximately $14 million US dollars) in 2012. Ecology. The park is home to a wide variety of animals including squirrels, and several species of ducks, egrets, and turtles. Facilities. Daan Forest park contains two ponds, several pavilions, and strolling paths, and well as cultural recreational facilities such as an amphitheatre, children's playground, a jogging loop, and a skating rink. It also contains an underground parking garage. Transportation. Direct access to the park by Taipei Metro is provided by the Daan Park Station located at the Northern end of the park. However, the park is also accessible  within walking distance West from Daan Station of the Taipei Metro and East from Dongmen Station.