An aerial view of Wanghai Park. [Photo/www.wifizs.cn]

The daily routines of residents in Shengsi county, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, have been transformed by Wanghai Park, a coastal park that finally opened this year after two years of development. Locals are now gathering along the coast every evening.

Built during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the park covers more than 65,000 square meters and replaces a former fishing pier once known for poor conditions. The project has reshaped the shoreline through coastal restoration efforts and turned the area into a public space for all ages, combining ecology, culture, and leisure.

The park now hosts an average of two cultural events each month, including lantern-season performances, island folk-song competitions, and traditional craft workshops. Cultural and tourism businesses have followed, with local markets and cafes providing sales channels for village workshops and attracting returning entrepreneurs. Community programs, including job fairs, senior-care services, and family festivals, further strengthen the park's role as a public hub.

As expansion plans continue into 2025, the park is set to widen commercial space and promote new sports, reinforcing its position as a key community anchor on the Zhoushan islands.