World Environment Day: 7 Waste To Wonder Parks Around The World

OT Staff

Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia, USA

Formerly a 6,40,000-ton pile of garbage, this park became the United States’ first landfill park in the 1970s. Today it encompasses two lakes, two playgrounds, a skate park, a boardwalk, two volleyball courts and more.

Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia, USA | jordanhchilds/Instagram

Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground, Hong Kong

This multi-purpose playground was built on a landfill. It features a grass pitch for baseball and football competitions, a batting cage, a children's playground, and a jogging track.

A tennis court at the Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground | brianlhy_/Instagram

Semakau Island, Singapore

Located eight km off Singapore’s coast, this little island is home to the country’s only landfill. Now it has become a recreational retreat where visitors can enjoy peaceful nature trails and intertidal walks.

Views from Semakau Island | yingying_alice/Instagram

Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, New York City, USA

This site was a dumping ground for ashes in the 20th century. NYC Parks has since converted it into a scenic area with indoor pools, lakes, nature trails, eateries and a hub of art installations.

New York City's Flushing Meadows–Corona Park | Shutterstock

Recycled Park, Rotterdam

Rotterdam’s waterways are clogged with plastic products such as bottles, disposable cutlery, foam products, plastic bags and more. Recycled Park is a floating park made from plastic materials found in the city's river and quays.

The Recycled Park of Rotterdam in the Netherlands | ecotechstuff/Instagram

Port Sunlight River Park, Merseyside, UK

This was a former landfill which had become a community eyesore. Opened in 2014, the 28-hectare Port Sunlight River Park has become a community space for the public.

Views of the Mersey River from Port Sunlight River Park | thelandtrust.org.uk/Website

Waste To Wonder Park, Delhi

This seven-acre park near Sarai Kale Khan has been made with scrap automobile parts and other metal waste like fans, rods, iron sheets, nut-bolts, bicycle and bike parts, and more. It runs on renewable energy.

A replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa at the Waste to Wonder Park in Delhi | wastetowonder_park/Instagram

César Chávez Park, Berkeley, USA

Built on the site of a former landfill, this California park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities in a marina setting. It has hiking trails, a wildlife sanctuary at the park's northern end and an off-leash dog area.

Sunset views from César Chávez Park | rudimarr/Instagram

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