According to Chou Ting-chen, the former Tungshan Borough warden, the park was forced to close due to issues related to a water conservation ordinance. The park was then taken over by Buddhist monastics, who wanted to use it for religious purposes, said Chou, adding that they know about the structures on the site and had not added any new ones. A resident monastic, who declined to be identified, said that the Buddhists were concerned about people entering the park’s dilapidated main building, which has become overgrown by vegetation, including the doorless and windowless upper levels of the building’s spire. “The tiles have begun falling off the walls and there is a tree growing on the top floor. We used to only use that building to store recyclables,” he added. (Taipei Times)

The resident monastics have said they are concerned that the building might not be safe and have advised visitors to avoid entering it. They have also posted signs about the dangers of the park and put up chains at various entrances, adding that these measures have ironically attracted more adventurous visitors.

“Please do not come here over a few photographs taken at the right angle to visit an abandoned park that is already a wasteland!” said a monastic, urging the visitors not to disturb the Buddhist residents.

According to the Taipei Times, the monastics have no plans to repair any of the structures aside from plastering over spots that are leaking. Other areas of the theme park will be left to nature.

Meanwhile, the resident monastics have said that they are relatively detached about the general public’s newfound interest in the abandoned park and will continue use the site as a makeshift monastery for as long as their way of life can continue undisturbed by visitors.

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Abandoned theme park draws tourists (Taipei Times)