Jeonnam Province Creates 'Safe Green Forest for Children' in School Zones

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 28th that it will create a ‘Safe Green Forest for Children’ targeting school zones around elementary schools where traffic safety is vulnerable.

This project, part of the Green New Deal in the forestry sector, involves removing fences around school zones, narrowing the roadway to secure ample street green space, and creating a forest that separates sidewalks from the road.

A total of 1 billion KRW will be invested this year with the goal of establishing five sites. The target locations by region are Sindae Elementary School in Suncheon, Buk Elementary School in Gwangyang, Daebul Elementary School in Yeongam, Namak Elementary School in Muan, and Nasan Elementary School in Hampyeong.

The province has been carrying out related administrative procedures such as prior consultations with city and county road management departments since last year, aiming to start in March, and plans to reflect the opinions of local residents and experts in the design.

In particular, it will be designed as a multi-layered forest with low tree height and wide width, planting various trees that bloom flowers in each season.

Through this, it is expected to provide a pleasant and safe living environment for students vulnerable to fine dust and heat waves, and to be used as a natural ecological education center that serves as a resting space for parents and children.

Additionally, the province plans to conduct a full survey of areas where traffic safety is a concern on school commute routes around elementary school zones and expand the project accordingly.

Park Hyungho, head of the Forestry and Recreation Division of Jeonnam Province, said, “Securing the safety of children’s school routes is expected to have various effects such as mitigating the heat island phenomenon and improving a pleasant living environment. We will do our best to create a healthy and safe forest by listening to diverse opinions from local residents and experts.”

Meanwhile, according to statistics from the National Police Agency and the Road Traffic Authority, 1,481 traffic accidents occurred in school zones over three years since 2017, resulting in 1,549 injured children and 17 fatalities.