如今人(ren)民公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan)總面(mian)積(ji)(ji)23公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)頃(qing),其中(zhong)山(shan)(shan)嶺面(mian)積(ji)(ji)8公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)頃(qing),湖泊(bo)面(mian)積(ji)(ji)4公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)頃(qing),平(ping)(ping)地面(mian)積(ji)(ji)11公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)頃(qing)。園(yuan)內(nei)有缽山(shan)(shan)、盂山(shan)(shan)、元寶(bao)山(shan)(shan)、平(ping)(ping)山(shan)(shan)和曉湖、蓮塘等(deng)(deng),并有東莞公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)共圖書館(guan)(guan)、博物圖書館(guan)(guan),是(shi)我(wo)國較早的(de)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan)之一(yi)。 園(yuan)內(nei)游樂設施完備,亭(ting)臺樓(lou)(lou)閣(ge)相映,樹木青翠高大(da),各類觀賞樹種(zhong)達一(yi)百多種(zhong),紅橋(qiao)綠水(shui),荷塘月色,竹樹夾道,到(dao)處(chu)鳥語花香,尤以“風篁(huang)(huang)煮茗(ming)”等(deng)(deng)八景(jing)最(zui)為出(chu)色,是(shi)一(yi)個集生態休閑、康(kang)體健身、愛國主(zhu)義教育(yu)于一(yi)體的(de)綜合性(xing)城市公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan),是(shi)游人(ren)休閑度(du)假的(de)好去處(chu)。 人(ren)民公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan)當屬公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan)“舊(jiu)八景(jing)”。1912年(nian)冬,盂山(shan)(shan)公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan)建好后(hou),人(ren)民公(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)(gong)園(yuan)的(de)創(chuang)建者岑(cen)學呂(lv)覺得名勝古跡,“非得名士(shi)留題”,即設立八景(jing),并廣泛征集詩文。所設八景(jing)分別為:紅棉山(shan)(shan)莊(zhuang)春曉、小(xiao)山(shan)(shan)陰訪(fang)舊(jiu)、風篁(huang)(huang)館(guan)(guan)煮茗(ming)、禪心院翻經、半山(shan)(shan)亭(ting)坐嘯、平(ping)(ping)綠草堂晚步、風滿樓(lou)(lou)憑眺、詩磚閣(ge)聯吟(yin)。目前園(yuan)內(nei)僅存半山(shan)(shan)亭(ting)一(yi)個舊(jiu)景(jing),其余重修、重建有紅棉山(shan)(shan)莊(zhuang)春曉、小(xiao)山(shan)(shan)陰訪(fang)舊(jiu)、風篁(huang)(huang)館(guan)(guan)煮茗(ming)、禪心院翻經等(deng)(deng)四景(jing)。
據《東莞縣志》記(ji)載(zai),1912年,東莞第二任澤區長(chang)岑學呂創建盂山(shan)公園(yuan)(yuan)時(shi),把紅(hong)(hong)棉山(shan)莊(zhuang)列為公園(yuan)(yuan)的(de)(de)八(ba)景之首,親自書題木匾(bian)“紅(hong)(hong)棉山(shan)莊(zhuang)”,并(bing)撰書楹聯(lian):“春樹有情迎過客;名山(shan)無(wu)恙慰詩人。”可惜物是(shi)人非,如今山(shan)莊(zhuang)門口的(de)(de)橫匾(bian)“紅(hong)(hong)棉山(shan)莊(zhuang)”是(shi)前東莞中學校(xiao)長(chang)羅陽手(shou)書,兩邊的(de)(de)對(dui)聯(lian)也換成了“畫入樓(lou)臺參雅(ya)趣,詩翔苑徑合清幽(you)”。
山莊前庭聚集不少粵曲愛好者,透(tou)過他們稀稀落(luo)落(luo)的身影,不遠處一棵挺拔的紅棉(mian)樹下有(you)一座紅墻綠(lv)瓦的古樸建筑,這就(jiu)是缽山堂。1925年(nian)廣(guang)東(dong)國民革命軍第二次(ci)東(dong)征期間,葉劍(jian)英(ying)等(deng)人曾在這里駐(zhu)扎(zha)過。周(zhou)圍(wei)還有(you)紅棉(mian)閣、聽蟬堂、棉(mian)蔭軒等(deng),只(zhi)見石山對峙,竹林遮天(tian),亭臺樓(lou)閣錯(cuo)落(luo)有(you)致,長廊大院交(jiao)錯(cuo)有(you)別(bie),有(you)羊腸石道貫穿,具曲徑通幽之(zhi)妙(miao)。
據公園工作人(ren)員介(jie)紹(shao),在抗日(ri)戰爭(zheng)前(qian),紅棉(mian)山(shan)(shan)莊(zhuang)前(qian)面(mian)有(you)一(yi)大塊(kuai)空地,四周是蒼老古(gu)(gu)木(mu),莊(zhuang)內(nei)有(you)一(yi)座古(gu)(gu)老石山(shan)(shan),突(tu)屹古(gu)(gu)雅,并(bing)設有(you)“羅漢(han)床”,游客到此(ci),有(you)清茶解渴。但后來日(ri)軍侵占(zhan)東莞,駐兵園內(nei),樹木(mu)被(bei)砍,八景被(bei)摧。現在的山(shan)(shan)莊(zhuang),是1987年(nian)由莞城政府撥(bo)款重建(jian)的,占(zhan)地面(mian)積(ji)4225平(ping)(ping)方米,建(jian)筑面(mian)積(ji)715平(ping)(ping)方米。據老莞城人(ren)陳伯回憶,當年(nian)紅棉(mian)山(shan)(shan)莊(zhuang)那古(gu)(gu)老石山(shan)(shan)是用英石砌就的,石山(shan)(shan)下(xia)有(you)水池,養有(you)金(jin)魚,圍以磚欄,秀(xiu)麗迷人(ren)。
據宋(song)代梁該的《重建(jian)德生橋(qiao)記》載:出縣門南(nan),僅百余步(bu),至南(nan)崗(gang)(gang)。即名(ming)為(wei)南(nan)崗(gang)(gang)。如今(jin)在(zai)公(gong)園西(xi)南(nan)的“崗(gang)(gang)貝”,原指(zhi)“南(nan)崗(gang)(gang)之(zhi)背(bei)”,是“崗(gang)(gang)背(bei)”之(zhi)訛音。到了明代,南(nan)崗(gang)(gang)原主人徐(xu)鶴(he)齡(當時(shi)尚書徐(xu)兆魁之(zhi)子)發現南(nan)崗(gang)(gang)有石頭像盂一樣,于是將南(nan)崗(gang)(gang)改(gai)名(ming)為(wei)盂山(shan)。并(bing)將與(yu)盂山(shan)相對者,改(gai)名(ming)為(wei)缽山(shan)。盂、缽兩山(shan)本來相連,因此以缽盂山(shan)統(tong)稱。
從明代中(zhong)期開始,明廷在(zai)缽(bo)盂(yu)山(shan)(shan)上設立了(le)(le)內營,有(you)“哨官一(yi)員,募兵(bing)四十五名”;明末,東莞防衛移至沿海(hai),缽(bo)盂(yu)山(shan)(shan)隨之興起的是書院(yuan),缽(bo)山(shan)(shan)堂便是清初(chu)東莞詩人(ren)陳(chen)阿平讀書和教學(xue)的地方。在(zai)盂(yu)山(shan)(shan)頂有(you)個革(ge)命(ming)烈士紀(ji)念碑,建(jian)于1959年清明節,是為了(le)(le)紀(ji)念“東莞人(ren)民在(zai)歷次革(ge)命(ming)斗爭中(zhong)獻出寶貴生命(ming)的優(you)秀(xiu)兒女”而(er)建(jian)的。
東莞(guan)博物(wu)圖書(shu)館是(shi)一座民初風格的(de)兩層(ceng)小樓,1928年由東莞(guan)明倫堂委員長徐景唐倡議創辦,曾藏書(shu)兩萬,居省第六(liu)位。由于日軍破壞,部分(fen)書(shu)籍轉移到東莞(guan)中(zhong)學。
在紅(hong)棉(mian)山(shan)(shan)莊對面(mian)的(de)盂山(shan)(shan)山(shan)(shan)坡(po)上(shang)(shang),是(shi)山(shan)(shan)巖峭拔、怪石嵯峨的(de)山(shan)(shan)陰(yin)臺(tai)(tai)。《盂山(shan)(shan)公(gong)(gong)園詩(shi)冊》有詩(shi)吟:舊游闊(kuo)別無多日,道入(ru)(ru)山(shan)(shan)陰(yin)得(de)似無;此地煙霞成(cheng)小筑(zhu),個中裙屐(ji)半吾徒。登山(shan)(shan)陰(yin)臺(tai)(tai)有兩個門,右邊的(de)入(ru)(ru)口(kou)是(shi)“柴門”,橫(heng)匾(bian)(bian)“小山(shan)(shan)陰(yin)”是(shi)由書法(fa)家(jia)秦萼(e)生所題(ti);左(zuo)邊入(ru)(ru)口(kou)叫“竹門”,上(shang)(shang)面(mian)掛的(de)橫(heng)匾(bian)(bian)題(ti)為(wei)“涉勝”。據(ju)公(gong)(gong)園工(gong)作(zuo)人(ren)員介紹,山(shan)(shan)陰(yin)臺(tai)(tai)亦為(wei)1987年重(zhong)建,并增設了山(shan)(shan)陰(yin)瀑布,用(yong)人(ren)工(gong)造成(cheng)六級(ji)瀑布,上(shang)(shang)下高差(cha)為(wei)12米,要用(yong)3個4寸水泵循環抽水,當年還(huan)請來黃雨、劉逸生、張采庵等園林專家(jia)、詩(shi)人(ren)、書法(fa)家(jia)出謀(mou)獻策。
拾級而(er)上,途(tu)中可見(jian)西邊(bian)一洞(dong)口刻有(you)(you)“綠巖(yan)”,東(dong)邊(bian)一洞(dong)口刻有(you)(you)“洞(dong)天”兩字。只見(jian)內側(ce)洞(dong)穴蜿轉、曲(qu)徑(jing)盤旋,洞(dong)頂(ding)上方天空遼(liao)闊(kuo)。在洞(dong)內石臺稍坐(zuo),別(bie)有(you)(you)“洞(dong)中方七日,世上已千(qian)年”的(de)幻覺。走出(chu)巖(yan)石洞(dong),有(you)(you)一塊形如琴狀巨石橫(heng)臥頭頂(ding),上刻“琴門”兩字。沿石級而(er)上,過“通(tong)幽(you)”就到了山(shan)陰臺頂(ding)。頂(ding)上一座飛檐翹角的(de)山(shan)陰堂,堂前為(wei)(wei)瀑布,堂后為(wei)(wei)花園。橫(heng)匾“山(shan)陰堂”三(san)個大字為(wei)(wei)書畫(hua)家關山(shan)月題寫,兩側(ce)為(wei)(wei)張采庵(an)書寫的(de)對聯:且(qie)欲來尋(xun)觀弈者,不妨看(kan)作補天馀。
從山(shan)陰(yin)堂再(zai)往頂上走,可(ke)看到半山(shan)亭(ting)。如果不是公(gong)園工作(zuo)人(ren)員的介紹,估(gu)計很少有人(ren)知道(dao)這里就是公(gong)園舊八景中(zhong)(zhong)惟存的一(yi)景。劉(liu)光中(zhong)(zhong)在《缽盂山(shan)》中(zhong)(zhong)云:“劫后荒蕪遍野,莊院(yuan)頹垣片(pian)瓦(wa),惟有半山(shan)亭(ting),亦堪驚。”半山(shan)亭(ting)紅砂巖地基已(yi)經裸(luo)露,像凝固已(yi)久的血塊一(yi)樣(yang),亭(ting)頂裂開,廊柱斑(ban)駁(bo),沒有說明文字,就像一(yi)位滄桑(sang)又沉默的老人(ren)。
半山(shan)亭(ting)右(you)下角一個正方形的(de)建筑,只剩下柱子一面墻一扇(shan)門,這就是(shi)(shi)風(feng)篁(huang)(huang)館(guan)(guan)舊(jiu)址,布滿青(qing)苔,很難想象(xiang)這就是(shi)(shi)當年詩人吟頌“蕭蕭山(shan)館(guan)(guan)最玲(ling)瓏,泉白茶青(qing)活火紅(hong)”的(de)風(feng)篁(huang)(huang)館(guan)(guan)。風(feng)篁(huang)(huang)館(guan)(guan)之名(ming),得于《東坡集》風(feng)篁(huang)(huang)嶺(ling)(ling)多(duo)竹,風(feng)韻凄(qi)(qi)清(qing)。至此林壑深(shen)沉(chen),迥出(chu)塵表。流淙(cong)活活,自龍井而下,四(si)時(shi)不(bu)絕(jue),嶺(ling)(ling)故(gu)叢(cong)薄荒(huang)密。元豐(1078-1086)中,僧辨才淬治(zhi)潔楚,名(ming)曰(yue)風(feng)篁(huang)(huang)。當時(shi)創建公園的(de)岑(cen)學呂(lv)以盂山(shan)多(duo)篁(huang)(huang),移用(yong)風(feng)篁(huang)(huang)嶺(ling)(ling)之名(ming)作館(guan)(guan)名(ming),取(qu)意(yi)為“風(feng)韻凄(qi)(qi)清(qing)”,祈求“迥出(chu)沉(chen)表”。
據公(gong)園(yuan)(yuan)工(gong)作(zuo)人(ren)(ren)員(yuan)介紹,抗日戰爭勝利后,人(ren)(ren)們多次提議恢復,2004年春節,莞城政(zheng)府(fu)選址重建風(feng)篁館,即為風(feng)篁煮(zhu)茗,該(gai)館占地面(mian)積2畝,景區范圍12畝。新建的(de)(de)風(feng)篁館由(you)六組建筑物構成(cheng),借鑒(jian)了可(ke)園(yuan)(yuan)的(de)(de)建筑風(feng)格,遠(yuan)遠(yuan)看去像(xiang)清代貴(gui)族(zu)別(bie)墅(shu)。沿(yan)著青磚(zhuan)鋪(pu)砌的(de)(de)小路進入風(feng)篁館,首先映入眼(yan)簾的(de)(de)是一池(chi)綠(lv)水(shui)(shui)(shui),因為建在蓮塘之(zhi)上(shang),院內院外(wai),左(zuo)廊右榭,均可(ke)看到池(chi)中(zhong)(zhong)錦鱗悠然之(zhi)態。掠過池(chi)水(shui)(shui)(shui),可(ke)以(yi)看到“水(shui)(shui)(shui)榭”,“水(shui)(shui)(shui)榭”往左(zuo)是“孖亭”,往右就是“船廳”,從“船廳”過連廊就到了“茶廳”。據公(gong)園(yuan)(yuan)工(gong)作(zuo)人(ren)(ren)員(yuan)介紹,由(you)于建筑時整體要全(quan)部開放(fang),當時施工(gong)時對(dui)設計圖紙一改(gai)(gai)再改(gai)(gai),盡量減少館中(zhong)(zhong)的(de)(de)墻(qiang)壁,完全(quan)取(qu)材于“亭”,大膽以(yi)亭館結合(he)(he)、亭院結合(he)(he)、亭廳結合(he)(he)、亭臺結合(he)(he)。
位于公園(yuan)東(dong)側的(de)(de)曉湖(hu)(hu)(hu),位于莞(guan)城(cheng)(cheng)東(dong)面(mian),向(xiang)著初升的(de)(de)太陽,故得此(ci)名。湖(hu)(hu)(hu)中(zhong)有三(san)個(ge)(ge)小(xiao)島(dao)(dao)(dao),湖(hu)(hu)(hu)中(zhong)央靠近南面(mian)的(de)(de)是湖(hu)(hu)(hu)心島(dao)(dao)(dao),島(dao)(dao)(dao)上(shang)建有晴光閣;顯(xian)長方形(xing)(xing)(xing)的(de)(de)為(wei)片石島(dao)(dao)(dao),另一個(ge)(ge)圓形(xing)(xing)(xing)小(xiao)島(dao)(dao)(dao)為(wei)驪株島(dao)(dao)(dao)。湖(hu)(hu)(hu)岸(an)邊疏落有致修(xiu)建了(le)(le)四(si)個(ge)(ge)亭(ting)臺水榭,書法家羅(luo)冠群撰聯曰:一湖(hu)(hu)(hu)映(ying)月堪娛目,四(si)季(ji)如春最賞心。據老莞(guan)城(cheng)(cheng)人陳伯介紹,占地50余(yu)畝的(de)(de)曉湖(hu)(hu)(hu),是由屬于羅(luo)沙農民的(de)(de)大禾塘(tang)(tang)、洞天塘(tang)(tang)、三(san)角(jiao)塘(tang)(tang)三(san)個(ge)(ge)10多畝的(de)(de)魚(yu)塘(tang)(tang)組成(cheng)(cheng)的(de)(de),早在20世紀50年代就開挖成(cheng)(cheng)人工湖(hu)(hu)(hu),原來呈方形(xing)(xing)(xing),曾經廢棄了(le)(le),1987年莞(guan)城(cheng)(cheng)修(xiu)葺人民公園(yuan)時(shi),園(yuan)藝設計人員因(yin)地制宜(yi),模仿自然景觀(guan),將方形(xing)(xing)(xing)的(de)(de)湖(hu)(hu)(hu)岸(an)改造成(cheng)(cheng)了(le)(le)彎曲有致的(de)(de)湖(hu)(hu)(hu)岸(an),并(bing)在環湖(hu)(hu)(hu)岸(an)邊,建筑亭(ting)臺閣榭、綠島(dao)(dao)(dao)曲橋,并(bing)種(zhong)(zhong)上(shang)各種(zhong)(zhong)各樣的(de)(de)花草樹木,構成(cheng)(cheng)了(le)(le)詩情畫意的(de)(de)園(yuan)林美景。
1912年,東莞(guan)第(di)二任澤區長岑學呂,拆(chai)除(chu)莞(guan)城一些舊廟宇、寺院,利用拆(chai)卸下來的(de)大量(liang)磚石修筑盂山(shan)公(gong)園,并由明(ming)倫(lun)堂撥款(kuan)六百兩銀(yin),建成八景。還(huan)編(bian)輯、出版《盂山(shan)公(gong)園詩冊》。
1917年(nian),在公園內八(ba)景(jing)之一(yi)的紅棉山莊(zhuang)建(jian)立了東(dong)莞(guan)公共圖書館。
1938年10月15日(ri),東莞抗日(ri)模范(fan)壯丁隊在公(gong)園成(cheng)(cheng)立,公(gong)園成(cheng)(cheng)了東江縱隊的(de)發源(yuan)地之一。不(bu)久(jiu),日(ri)軍駐兵東莞縣博物圖書館,公(gong)園內樹(shu)木(mu)被砍盡,八景被摧殘。
1925年(nian),盂山(shan)公(gong)園(yuan)改名為中山(shan)公(gong)園(yuan)。
1928年(nian)—1932年(nian),建成東(dong)莞博(bo)物館—博(bo)物圖(tu)書館。
1934年(nian)—1936年(nian),擴建園(yuan)內運動場(chang),并修建中山紀(ji)念堂。
1956年(nian),改名(ming)為人民公(gong)園。
1958年(nian)(nian)—1959年(nian)(nian),重修公園(yuan),擴建運動場,清挖(wa)盂山湖,豎立革命烈士紀(ji)念碑。
1987年,由莞城區政府撥款(kuan),重建“紅棉山(shan)莊春曉”、“小山(shan)陰訪舊”兩景,并筑水(shui)上樂(le)園(yuan)、足球場等(deng)。
2004年,重修(xiu)風篁館(guan)。