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Public Art at the Accessible Toilets of Kinmen National Park

The public toilets in Kinmen National Park have undergone a transformation, becoming new highlights of the area. Since 2023, the Kinmen National Park Headquarters (HQ), under the Ministry of the Interior’s National Parks Service, has been working to upgrade the toilet facilities within the park. By 2024, they have gradually improved these facilities by adopting universal design principles. The enhancements include leveling the floors, adding parent-child cubicles, and ensuring accessibility. Additionally, to promote environmental sustainability and water conservation, the main public toilets in the park have been connected to the sewer system. As part of this improvement project, local Kinmen artists were invited to participate in the environmental beautification design. Their artwork integrates Kinmen’s natural ecology and the "Twelve Wonders of Taiwu Mountain," infusing these themes into the public toilet landscapes of Rushan and Taiwu Mountain, which aims to provide users with a surprising and enriching experience. The HQ emphasizes that this initiative aims not only to enhance the appearance of public facilities but also to change the public's perception of toilets, transforming them from mere sanitary facilities into spaces that feature art displays. Following the renovations, users have expressed positive feedback about the artistic landscapes, such as the twelve wonders of Taiwu Mountain and the “Don’t Forget National Humiliation” stamp depicted in the Taiwu Mountain toilets. Visitors have also appreciated the relief sculptures of the blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus), otter, and great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) on the walls of the Rushan Visitor Center public toilets. They hope that the HQ will continue to improve and construct high-quality public facilities in the national park. Since 2023, the HQ has prioritized upgrades to public toilets at key scenic spots and high-traffic visitor areas within the park. To date, improvements have been completed at six restrooms, including those located at the Zhongshanlin entrance parking lot, the Zhongshanlin children’s recreation area, in front of Old Rushan Fort, the Military Brothel Exhibition Hall, the Taiwu Mountain parking lot, and the Lieyu Visitor Center. Moving forward, the HQ plans to continue implementing the park's friendly public toilet improvement plan.