County government officials acknowledged that the park, which attracted more than 1 million visitors each year from its inception in 1994 to 2004, has seen declining numbers in the past three years, probably because its facilities are no longer fresh and appealing.

The water park was selected as the venue of the annual Yilan International Collegiate Invitational Regatta between 1996 and 2005, and the annual Yilan International Children’s Folklore and Folkgame Festival for 12 years between 1995 and 2006. Both events were terminated mainly because the county government could no longer afford the financial losses.

With the summer tourism season approaching, the county government decided to waive all entry fees — NT$80 per adult, NT$60 per child, and NT$40 per senior citizen — for 72 days from May 1.

Visitors, however, are still required to pay parking fees for their vehicles — NT$100 each for buses, NT$50 for cars and NT$20 for motorcycles.

The Dongshan River Water Park opened to the public in 1994, with “water intimacy” as its theme. The park contains a boating area, a paddling area and a family area.

The main facilities in the park include an outdoor theater, paddling pools, a museum with exhibits of dragon boats, a swimming pool and a gym.

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