Abstract:

Objective: This study presents an analysis of history, paths and driving forces of the development of forest parks in China in the past 40 years and a summary of practical implications in order to provide historical evidences and a theoretical basis for the development of forest parks. Method: In combination of literature analysis, history study and comprehensive analysis, the development of forest parks was integrated into the macro context of China's social economic development, the development stages of forest parks were identified in the context of strategic transition of both national and forestry sectoral development, and evolution of forest parks. Combining quantitative analysis of the changes in the number of forest parks, sources of construction investment, and average wages of employees, the internal logic of the development of forest parks was summarized. Result: 1) In the past 40 years, forest parks in China have gone through four stages: "diversification projects of forestry operation" (1982—1991), "the third industry of forestry"(1992—1997), "multi-dimensional development of green forestry industry" (1998—2010), and "protected natural areas and social public services" (2011—present). 2) The evolutionary path of forest parks in China in the past 40 years can be summarized as follows: property change from "tourist destination" to "protected natural areas", function change from "economic industry" to "social public services", value change from "for economic benefits" to "for green" to "for responsibility" and model change from "closed" to "open" to "integration". Conclusion: 1) The main reasons for the evolution of forest parks in China in the past 40 years can be attributed to the revolution for social justice, the vision for ecological sustainability and expectation of "good life". 2) Forest parks in China have the following problems: the management failure caused by lack of government leadership, restrictions by the "two-in-one" management system of state-owned forest farms, the misalignment of the roles of managers and operators, the new changes brought about by "reform of the state-owned forest farms" and "development of protected natural areas system", and the absence of relevant laws. 3) In the future, the management work of forest parks in China will be focused on: harmonization with "development of protected areas system with the mainstay of national parks", gradually establishing a diversified financing system with public financial support as the mainstay, harmonizing the "two in one" management system of state-owned forest farms, promoting the separation of management rights and operation rights, and improving legal system relevant to forest parks.

Key words: forest parks, diachronic development, logic of evolution, practical enlightenment