るるパーク/大分農業文化公園(杵築市)
RURU PARK / Kitsuki City
るるパーク/大分農業文化公園 (杵築市)
2001年に「大分農業文化公園」として開園した、杵築市山香町と宇佐市安心院町にまたがる広大な公園です。2021年に愛称を公募し、現在は「るるパーク」の名で親しまれています。ダム湖を中心とした約120haの敷地には、自然をテーマにしたさまざまなエリアが点在。一周するのに1時間半ほどかかる広さがあり、ハイキングやウォーキングにも最適です。
季節ごとに花々が咲き誇るフラワーガーデンやハーブガーデン、つばき園、果樹園などがあり、自然四季のうつろいを感じられます。とくに春のネモフィラ、秋のコキアが見ごろを迎える時期には、多くの来園者でにぎわいます。農業体験や自然体験もでき、園内2カ所にある大型遊具は子どもたちに人気です。
正面ゲート近くの中心施設は、建築家・伊東豊雄氏が設計。物産館や研修施設があり、地域の交流や学びの場としても活用されています。
RURU PARK / Kitsuki City
Opened in 2001 as the ‘Oita Agricultural and Culture Park’, this vast park straddles Yamaga Town, Kitsuki City, and Ajimu Town in Usa City. Following a public naming contest in 2021, it is now affectionately known as RURU PARK. The 120–hectare site centres on a dam lake and features various nature–themed areas. It takes about one and a half hours to stroll around the park, making it perfect for hiking and walking.
There are gardens featuring seasonal flowers and herbs, and a camellia garden, along with an orchard, where you can experience the transitions between all four seasons. The garden is most popular in spring for its nemophila and in autumn for its kochia. Visitors can also enjoy hands–on agriculture and nature expereinces, and there are two large playgrounds in the park which are very popular with children.
The central facility near the main gate, designed by architect Toyo Ito, houses a local product centre and training facilities whilst also functioning as a hub for community interaction and education.