石山緑地, Urban park in Minami-ku, Sapporo, Japan
Ishiyama Park is an urban park with two distinct sections, with the south block displaying exposed rock faces from former quarry operations and the north block containing recreational facilities. The southern area impresses with natural stone formations, while the northern section is equipped with modern sports facilities such as tennis courts.
The location originated as a quarry for Sapporo nanseki, a soft stone used in construction, before being transformed into a public recreational space. The conversion from mining land into a designed park shows how Sapporo repurposes former industrial areas.
The park contains art installations by the CINQ sculpture group, including the Negative Mound structure and Gogo no oka in the south section. These works are integrated into the natural stone landscape and shape the visual experience as you walk through the southern area.
The southern area with pathways and water play areas can be visited freely, while the northern section with tennis courts requires advance reservations and payment. The best experience comes from May through November when the park operates with extended hours.
The southern section combines the quarry landscape with illuminated pathways and water play areas integrated directly into natural rock formations. This blend of industrial heritage and nature-based design creates an unusual park space that makes the site's past visible.
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