Yangcheon Neighborhood Park Renovated and Returned to Residents...

Yangcheon-gu's Representative Park Loved by Residents for 30 Years Since 1988... Reborn as an Urban Park Embracing Nature with the Theme of Old 'Forest' and New 'Spring'... Construction Started Last February, Opened in 30 Days, Returning to Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Parks hold a special meaning for modern people living in urban areas. They are spaces that provide a brief breath of fresh air amid the suffocating cityscape. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these spaces have become even more welcome.

Urban parks are essential spaces planned alongside city development to protect natural landscapes and contribute to citizens' health, recreation, and emotional well-being. They play countless roles, not only mitigating urban heat island effects, reducing noise, and providing habitats for wildlife, but also serving as places for rest, exercise, and healing for city residents.

Moreover, amid bleak predictions that the COVID era will continue for some time, the importance of urban forests and parks is growing daily. It is expected that more people will seek out forests to relieve stress and depression.

□ Yangcheon-gu’s Representative Leader Park

Yangcheon Neighborhood Park in Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Kim Su-young) was established in 1988 during the completion of the Mokdong District housing development. It is a park with representativeness and symbolism for Yangcheon-gu, having generously provided a resting space for residents for 30 years. However, due to aging facilities and damaged green areas, overall facility improvements were needed.

Over time, spaces and facilities have been added or changed throughout the park to meet changing trends and demands, but there was a regret that Yangcheon Park lacked an integrated theme unique to itself.

Accordingly, Yangcheon-gu conducted a survey on usage patterns and improvement needs among park users to reflect public opinion. They pursued remodeling to maximize the park’s strengths, starting construction in February, and after the opening ceremony on the 30th, the park finally returns to the long-awaited arms of the residents.

□ Old Forest, New Spring.

'ECO Yangcheon - Trees, Forests, Parks, and Paths Connected in Yangcheon' is a campaign pledge of Mayor Kim Su-young during his 7th term. It promises to revitalize the five major parks of Yangcheon (Yangcheon, Pari, Sintree, Mokma, Omok), which have been established along the Mokdong central axis since the housing development, and to rebirth them as green spaces linked to local characteristics, realizing green welfare.

Yangcheon Neighborhood Park is the starting point. The remodeling project, themed 'Old Forest, New Spring,' is divided into five main spaces: Central Plaza, Book Rest Library, Stream, Forest Meditation Center, and Exercise Area. Each space is distinctive, making it impossible to single out just one representative area.

The existing asphalt-paved plaza located at the center of the park has been transformed into a natural grass plaza. Open spaces like the plaza serve as venues for cultural exchange and community gatherings and help mitigate the urban heat island effect.

The Book Rest Library, a nature-inspired building, harmonizes with the existing Baby Zone, Kung-Kwang-Kung-Kwang Dream Maru Playground, and indoor playground Kizit, reborn as a space where children nurture their dreams. Children reading books and playing freely under the blue forest and sky represent our future and hope.

The basketball and badminton courts have been relocated from the heat of concrete to among the tree groves. It is expected that residents enjoying leisure through exercise will be able to use these facilities in a pleasant environment.

The water circulation system is eco-friendly. Rainwater infiltrates and is stored underground, flowing into an ecological pond within the park. Groundwater discharged from buildings adjacent to the park is also introduced into the park, creating flowing water landscapes such as streams and mist fountains.

□ Yangcheon Park, Responsible for Residents’ Green Welfare for the Next 30 Years, Is the Future.

Yangcheon Neighborhood Park is a long-standing forest that has protected Yangcheon for 30 years. Having completed urban-regeneration-style remodeling that respects existing usage, Yangcheon Park is a forest for the future that will be responsible for the next 30 years. The reason Yangcheon Park, reborn as a lifestyle forest where residents can feel the changing seasons more closely and fully enjoy the beauty of nature, is so anticipated.

Kim Su-young, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, stated, “We plan to develop programs reflecting residents’ opinions so that they can enjoy culture within nature. We hope it becomes a beloved urban space for residents, filled with stories of rest, greenery, and culture.” He also added, “Going forward, we will implement remodeling projects reflecting local characteristics for Pari Neighborhood Park as well as Mokma, Omok, and Sintree Parks to realize a new spring of high-quality green welfare in Yangcheon.”