Few people may have tried growing vegetables in the city, but the wonderful experience of working together with a group of like-minded people to grow vegetables on a huge plot of land can really only be achieved on what is now called the Grand Green.
The Grand Green was originally the area along the railway track that provided a link for freight trains from the old Taipei Railway Station to Songshan Station. The land’s value has only grown since the railway was moved underground. However, the issue of how it should be used sparked debate involving railway enthusiasts and railway experts. Eventually, the Taipei City Urban Regeneration Office (TCURO) took over responsibility for managing the site.
TCURO hopes this large parcel of land, connected to Huashan 1914 Creative Park, can become a place for the public to share and enjoy. They planted the site with grass and named it the Grand Green. Having grass as part of their environment is a new experience for many Taipei residents.
“In 2012, we planted camphor trees on the Grand Green, and held a range of happenings such as open-air concerts and an afternoon tea for pets. This year, the third year of activities, we organized an event called ‘Next Play: Green Factory,’ open for the public to come along and plant vegetables,” says TCURO director Lin Chung-chieh.
A temporary cultivation space was set up on the old concrete railway platform. The public were able to adopt a tiny piece of land, sometimes just a box of soil, to grow vegetables. At weekends, farming experts shared their experience and gave pointers about growing vegetables in different seasons.