A map of Wuxi's parks and greenbelts [Photo/WeChat account: wuxifabu2013]
Wuxi will work to construct and rebuild 50 parks and greenbelts covering a total area of about 124 hectares, aiming to improve the city environment, according to the Wuxi Gardening and Greening Bureau.
The city seeks to provide locals with more parks and greenbelts in which they can relax and unwind.
By 2022, 95 percent of the city is expected to be within a 10-minute walk from a park or greenbelt, and by 2030 that number is expected to increase to 100 percent.
"We will build two or three district-level parks in every district of Wuxi according to the overall plan and population size," said Wang Wenji, director of the Wuxi Gardening and Greening Bureau.
According to officials, Wuxi has constructed and rebuilt about 200 parks and greenbelts since 2009. Currently 40.16 percent of the built-up area consists of green area.
A total of 24 municipal parks have been built in Wuxi, concentrated in Binhu district and Wuxi Economic Development Zone. Xishan district, Huishan district and Xinwu district have one to two parks each.
Wuxi has also built 18 parks featuring elements of the city's landscape and local culture. Twenty-seven sub-district parks are mainly built in rural areas around the built-up area. In areas with rich natural resources, there are 10 countryside parks.
The Sangyuandun Ecological Sports Park, which will be rebuilt from a wild woodland in Xishan district, is currently under construction. With a planning area of 282,000 square meters, it is expected to become the largest theme park in Xishan district integrating natural resources, sports facilities and outdoor stages for performances. A walking path extending for about three kilometers will be a highlight.
Another walking path along the Bodu River in Wuxi's Xinwu district is also in the early stages of planning. Construction is expected to start in May and finish in four months. Along with the walking path, a new park will be built in the northeast corner of the intersection of Jichang Road and Xinguang Road.
