Xiaoxita Forest Park Revives Yichang’s Urban Forest

Located in Yiling District, Yichang, Xiaoxita Forest Park represents a thoughtful transformation of an urban woodland into a resilient public landscape. Designed by HID Landscape Architecture, the 89-hectare park demonstrates how ecological restoration and community recreation can coexist within a rapidly urbanizing environment. Once challenged by fragmented circulation, aging infrastructure, and underutilized spaces, the forest has been revitalized into a destination that prioritizes environmental stewardship while supporting everyday public life.

Designing With the Existing Landscape

The project was guided by the philosophy of “Touching the Earth Lightly,” a principle that shaped every intervention across the site. Rather than imposing a new landscape over the existing forest, the design team carefully adapted pathways, gathering areas, and amenities to fit within natural clearings. This approach preserved 100% of native trees and minimized disturbance to the existing ecosystem.

Permeable paving systems using locally sourced stone and grass-integrated slabs were introduced throughout the park. These materials allow rainwater to infiltrate naturally into the soil, supporting groundwater recharge while reducing surface runoff. By working with the site’s natural characteristics, the project enhances ecological performance without compromising visitor comfort.

Transforming Gray Infrastructure into Habitat

One of the most significant achievements of the project was the removal of obsolete infrastructure that had disrupted the forest environment for decades. Through collaboration with local stakeholders, a disused pump station and underutilized parking areas were dismantled, returning more than 1,200 square meters of land to permeable green space.

This intervention restored visual continuity between the city and the forest while creating a new habitat corridor for local wildlife. The reclaimed grassland strengthens ecological connectivity throughout the site and demonstrates how even small-scale removals of outdated infrastructure can generate meaningful environmental benefits.

Minimal Intervention, Maximum Experience

The park’s Mid-Hill Rest Stop embodies the project’s low-impact design philosophy. Elevated on carefully positioned pinpoint columns, the structure avoids extensive excavation and prevents damage to sensitive tree root systems. Visitors are rewarded with elevated views across the forested canyon while the landscape below remains largely untouched.

Several design elements also serve ecological functions. Lighting fixtures have been designed as hybrid installations that provide illumination while doubling as nesting habitats for birds. Locally crushed stone has been incorporated into pathways and retaining elements, reinforcing the site’s connection to regional materials and construction traditions.

A Living Classroom for the Community

Today, Xiaoxita Forest Park offers a layered sequence of experiences that includes riverfront promenades, woodland clearings, hillside terraces, and elevated viewpoints. Native vegetation coverage exceeds 95 percent, supporting biodiversity while creating a rich seasonal landscape for visitors.

Welcoming more than 2,000 daily visitors, the park has become an important social and educational resource. Interpretive information is discreetly integrated into stone walls and landscape features, allowing visitors to learn about local ecology without disrupting the natural character of the environment. Through this approach, environmental awareness becomes part of the visitor experience rather than a separate attraction.

By placing ecological integrity at the center of public space design, Xiaoxita Forest Park establishes a compelling model for future urban landscape projects. The work of HID Landscape Architecture demonstrates that regeneration can extend beyond aesthetics, creating landscapes where biodiversity, recreation, and environmental education actively reinforce one another. As cities continue to seek sustainable development strategies, the project offers valuable lessons in designing with nature rather than against it.

Technical Sheet