1979 is the International Year of the Child. For children in the Republic of China, however, every year is their year, and every day their day. The prosperous society in the Republic of China provides not only thoughtful care in the form of food, clothing, housing, communications and education for children, but also well-equipped and spacious recreation areas to ensure an entertaining and carefree childhood for all citizens.
The recreational centers in Taipei and its suburbs have always been favorite places for outings for old and young alike during holiday seasons. The Taipei Municipal Zoo and Children's Playground are top attractions for city residents and out-of-town visitors.
The zoo is home for thousands of animals, many of them valuable and rare. The children especially enjoy feeding the two elephants by holding peanuts on their palms, or tossing a banana to the monkeys. The cage and compounds for the animals are designed to meet each animal's particular needs. Even so, the area of the zoo prevents allocation of adequate space. As a result, the Taipei City Government is drawing up plans to move the zoo to the outskirts of Taipei to provide a more natural setting.
Before this plan is carried out, however, Taiwan's first Wildlife Safari Park will open at the Shihmen resort area south of Taipei in the near future. Covering an area of 75 hectares and costing US$17 million to develop, the park will have separate sections for herbivorous and carnivorous animals. Animals imported from America and Africa, including rhinoceroses, elephants, lions, tigers, bears, leopards and baboons will be able to roam at will. In addition, there will be a children's animal park, in which young people will be able to play with and fondle several species of friendly animals.
The Taipei Municipal Children's Playground is situated next to the present zoo. Run by the Taipei City Government, the playground contains such attractions as merry-go-rounds, sky rockets, airplanes, electric cars, dragon boats and ferris wheels.
Other facilities available in green areas around Taipei and other cities include wings, slides, horizontal and parallel bars and seesaws. They provide a healthy environment for children to develop into alert and upright citizens in the future.