Birth of a Park in Saitama Prefecture

The rest house at Aratanamori Park

While researching places to explore in eastern Saitama Prefecture, I came across a pin on Google Maps that indicate Aratanamori Park in Kasukabe City. 

I"m familiar with the area, and couldn't imagine where there would be a forest, as indicated by the word mori in the park's name. This part of Kasukabe City is a mix of light industry, rice paddies, and residential areas. It's also very flat, so a forest would, I expect, be easy to spot. So I got on my bicycle to investigate.

To my surprise, it is in fact a new park, as the name indicates. Saitama Prefectural government started construction on the park in May 2019.

Development was supposed to wrap up in May 2021

It appears that the park's development got delayed. During the most recent state of emergency, there was no activity.

But this week, preparations are in full swing, with landscaping and facilities construction.
Fuji-san? Is that you?

Saitama Prefecture's urban development planning initiated the park as a way to preserve the ecology of the 16-hectare site divided by a road. It has two ponds. The intention is to invite the local people to participate in the planting of a forest and satoyama, the marginal area between human habitation and nature.

Kasukabe City has a lot of open space that attracts birds and you can hear them in the rushes at the side of the road. I'm excited to see how this park will be planted and the way the city and prefecture will get locals involved. 

Is your municipality creating new parks? I wonder how widespread these initiatives are.