Parque Deportivo Forestal de Shenzhen

The Pearl River Delta has its origins in dynamic nature, with a stunning biodiversity but rapid urbanization required a strong policy on nature preservation. In 2018 LOLA, TALLER and L+CC won the competition for a 600-hectare forest and sports park in Guang Ming, Shenzhen, China. As this region finds its success in innovative industries, the park focuses on innovation in sports and ecology. Since the completion of Phase I in 2020, the Guang Ming Town Forest and Sports Park is part of the world’s most innovative Delta.

Guang Ming Town is a showcase of various new ways in which city and nature can build a fruitful relationship. The Forest and Sports Park is an important link in the green network of the city and both forest and sports life shows itself in its most dynamic and inno­vative way and the park keeps on developing over time. The loop around the lake is the starting point of a network of paths and trails. An elevated red path links the forest park to the central city park and the rest of the mountain forest. A scenic route, that goes through different atmospheres and passes by multiple points of interest. It also functions like a pedestrian highway, with rhythmic exits and no steep slopes.

In a natural forest setting, visitors get to know both forgotten sports and the latest techniques in sports. A range from open valleys and mountain forest offers the natural back­ground for sports and leisure. The Red Path forms a landmark that connects the park to the city and the forest; a scenic route that passes by all differ­ent types of forest. In the park a series of pavilions hosts functions like a restaurant, restroom, viewing platform and forest cabin. In order to minimize the environmen­tal impact, the pavilions are modular and prefabricated. By placing them on stilts they avoid direct contact with the ground and at the same time provide shadow so that visitors can escape the summer heat.

The construction of the park contains two phases. The first phase opened in 2020, including the red path, entrance plaza, forest area and a temporary loop at Bihu area. It has been a destination since the first day that peo­ple are able to use the park and its facilities. The second phase will be built later, including five innovative sports multi-fields, a nursery loop, a botanical R&D center and a sports R&D center.