Jangheung-gun Opens 'Meomuneun Bridge' as Part of Tamjin River Ecological Theme Park Development Project

Development of Tamjin River Wellness Course Including 8.5 Billion KRW Investment in Ecological Trails and Ecological Park Creation

Meomune Bridge crossing Budongcheon, a tributary of Tamjin River ⓒ Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, held an opening ceremony for the ‘Meomuneun Bridge’ at the Water Science Museum area crossing Budongcheon, a tributary of the Tamjin River, on the 21st.

According to the county on the 22nd, the event was held with the attendance of Jangheung County Governor Jeong Jong-sun, Jangheung County Council Chairman Yoo Sang-ho, and local residents, proceeding with project status explanations, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a walking event.

Through the comprehensive development plan of the Tamjin River, various projects such as the ‘Tamjin River Waterfront Trail Creation Project,’ ‘Tamjin River Fragrant Forest Park Creation Project,’ and ‘Tamjin River 30-ri Trail Creation Project’ are linked to establish the Tamjin River as a landmark of Jangheung-gun. The first step was taken through the opening ceremony of the ‘Meomuneun Bridge.’

The name ‘Meomuneun Bridge’ was selected through a naming contest, meaning to enjoy rest (休) and healing while appreciating the beautiful scenery of the Tamjin River and savoring the freshness of the Fragrant Forest Park.

The Tamjin River Ecological Theme Park Creation Project has a total budget of 8.5 billion KRW (50% national funds, 50% county funds) and is a project to install an ecological exploration trail from the Water Science Museum to Busan Bridge and from Yeonsan Bridge to the Waterfront Trail, and to gradually create an ecological theme park on the parking lot site next to the Water Science Museum from 2019 to 2023.

The project is divided into phases 1 to 3. Phase 1 (ecological exploration trail from the Water Science Museum to Yeonsan Bridge, Meomuneun Bridge pedestrian bridge 63m, rest area, etc.) was completed in August, and currently, phase 2 (ecological exploration trail from Yeonsan Bridge to the Waterfront Trail) is underway.

Phase 3 plans to create an ecological exploration trail and an ecological theme park (12,149㎡) in the section from Yeonsan Bridge to Busan Bridge over two years from 2022 to 2023.

With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic changing the concept of travel, the standard has shifted from traditional trips involving several days away to travel styles that naturally incorporate rest into daily life.

This is a daily travel style focusing on places that can be easily accessed during lunch breaks or after work without taking long vacations or traveling far.

Reflecting this trend, Jangheung-gun is developing the ‘Tamjin River Wellness Course’ (a compound word of well-being, happiness, and fitness) that serves as a resting place for residents and tourists and offers healing amid beautiful scenery and romance.

By linking various tourism development projects such as the green lawns of the Tamjin River, Jeongnamjin Saturday Market, Tamjin River Waterfront Trail, Tamjin River Ecological Theme Park, and Tamjin River Fragrant Forest Park, a ‘new standard of travel’ is being created where people can naturally rest in their daily lives.

Governor Jeong Jong-sun said, “Through this project, the Tamjin River will become a high-quality complex cultural space,” adding, “Let all residents and tourists recharge their lives and overcome COVID-19 together through the Tamjin River Wellness Course in the city.”