New park links 3 green lungs in city centre

[reader]

From The Nation

Bangkok opened its newest park on Monday, aiming to serve as an exercise space for over 800,000 people in the city’s central business district.

The catchily named National Sports Development Fund-Sports Authority of Thailand (NSDF-SAT) Park links three city parks – Benchakitti, Benchakitti Forest and Lumphini – to provide a green jogging and exercise route through the city centre.

The park/route uses 5 rai (0.8 hectares) of the three parks, plus the so-called “green mile” elevated walkway that links Benchakitti and Lumphini parks.

It’s located on the road next to the Tobacco Authority of Thailand in Khlong Toei district, accessible by both Rama IV and Sukhumvit roads.

BTS Skytrain users can get there via either Phloen Chit or Asok stations, while the closest MRT stations are Khlong Toei, Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre or Lumphini.

NSDF manager Supranee Guptasa said the new facility aims to be a “running park” that promotes exercise among people in Phloen Chit, Sukhumvit, Khlong Toei, Rama IV, and Silom areas.

“There are over 600,000 office workers in these areas, plus 240,000 local residents that will benefit from the park, which offers a convenient location for exercise after people finish their daily activities,” she said.

The NSDF-SAT Park features a running route that connects Lumphini, Benchakitti, and Benchakitti Forest parks, allowing up to 4,000 runners to enjoy a long, challenging track amid a variety of landscapes.

Facilities along the way include a fitness centre, locker cabinets, drinking fountains, toilets, CCTV surveillance, and wheelchair ramps.

NSDF-SAT Park is open daily from 5am to 10pm. See how to get there on Google Maps at https://bit.ly/3J2OLUa

 

[reader]

From Inhabitat

Rainforest observatory provides a green space for Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand gained a rainforest observatory designed by HAS Design and Research. It’s called Benchakitti Rain Forest Observatory. Bangkok has 6.99 square meters of green space for each person, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Unfortunately, this is less than the nine square meters minimum recommended by the World Health Organization. The Benchakitti Forest Park rainforest observatory aims to remedy this a bit, opening to the public in 2022 to create more green space for Bangkok residents.

Benchakitti Rain Forest Observatory is an architectural manifesto, according to its designers. The observatory creates more natural environment, expressing the demand of Bangkok residents for more green spaces for their city.

Additionally, the project sits is in the center of Benchakitti Forest Park, surrounded by wetlands and trees. Flowers, songbirds and insects fill the park, which is already popular with locals. By creating an observatory here, designers have created a new way for people to get up close with nature in their environment while relaxing outdoors.

Furthermore, the observatory is designed to blend in to its natural environment. It’s green and looks as though it is covered in leaves. The platforms extend out like a floating wetland island into the park amidst the tropical rainforest. Undulating forms guide visitors to the upper level where they can look over the park. The lower first level combines a water misting system to simulate a wetland environment with activities for people to enjoy, including yoga, meditation and family events.

Nearly 100 smart boards were combined with four different green colors of sustainable paint to wrap into the forest seamlessly and with minimal impact. The light strips behind the smart boards come on at night to provide lighting while making the form of the building disappear against the background of the forest at night. HAS Design and Research says that Benchakitti Rain Forest Observatory is not just a service facility, but more like a tropical rainforest itself. The structure provides shade for visitors and creates a gathering space for citizens that helps them connect with each other and nature.

Lastly, we love the walkways with changing elevations that are disguised and softened by the green façade. Visitors can stand on the upper levels to walk along the park at a higher level for a beautiful view, or sit beneath the misters beneath the platforms to relax in the shade.

 

[TMax]

I love areas like this in the big cities, gives a nice clean space to get some morning exercise, should be more of it too. 

[vinapu]

1 hour ago, TMax said:

I love areas like this in the big cities, gives a nice clean space to get some morning exercise, should be more of it too. 

and then can use more trees