[Seoul District News] Seongdong-gu Supports Residents' Autumn Cultivation by Distributing Compost and Seedlings per Plot at Seongdong Rainbow Garden and Namyangju Dasan Farm & Provides Shared Farming Tools Along with Personal Tool Storage Installation... Eunpyeong-gu Calls for Urban Garden Project Proposals Until August 15
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) will actively support urban farmers' autumn cultivation by distributing compost and seasonal crop seedlings at Seongdong Rainbow Garden and Dasan Farm starting in August.
20kg of compost per plot, 30 cabbage seedlings, and radish seeds will be sequentially distributed to all lessees, allowing them to wrap up spring crop cultivation and actively prepare for autumn farming.
Located at 76-3 Haengdang-dong, Seongdong Rainbow Garden is situated along a walking path connected by stairs passing through Eungbong Sports Park, a children's baseball field, and a pet playground by the Jungnangcheon Stream, where visitors can enjoy a wide-open scenic view while naturally following the waterway.
Seongdong Rainbow Garden, where cozy pavilions gather for a relaxing break while chatting, is a spacious community cultivation area of approximately 5,744㎡ (about 1,740 pyeong).
This year, a total of 347 plots have been leased to residents, allowing them to cultivate various crops directly on plots of 11㎡ (about 3.3 pyeong) each from March to November.
Each large garden is equipped with water facilities for easy irrigation, and farming tools such as shovels and hoes are always available at the management office. Additionally, solar-powered pest repellents are installed at the entrance to help cultivators avoid summer pests, demonstrating thoughtful care.
Furthermore, eco-friendly compost is provided regularly, along with lettuce and young radish seedlings in the first half of the year, and cabbage seedlings and radish seeds in the second half, helping cultivators grow seasonal crops.
As a result, even under the intense midday summer sun, colorful tomatoes ripen, and lettuce and eggplants create a spectacular scene alongside early autumn cosmos flowers, each radiating their unique hues.
Also, the nearby Seongdong Spring Water Storage, offering a refreshing glass of water on hot summer days, has become a must-visit spot during walks around Seongdong Rainbow Garden, receiving high praise from residents.
Earlier, Seongdong-gu enacted the Ordinance on the Activation and Support of Eco-friendly Urban Agriculture in December 2020, and together with the 100-plot weekend farm ‘Dasan Farm’ established in nearby Namyangju, the district spares no effort in supporting residents' urban agriculture. Starting next month, a separate locker will be provided at Rainbow Garden for storing ‘my own farming tools,’ offering a substantial service for small but certain happiness.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “We want to provide residents with the precious experience of planting and nurturing crops through gardens prepared in the city.” He added, “We will continue to offer various services for urban healing and strive to harmonize workplaces and living spaces.”
Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) is accepting applications for the ‘2023 Seoul-style Urban Garden Creation Project’ to expand urban agriculture practice spaces until noon on August 15.
The ‘Urban Garden Creation Project’ aims to spread community culture and restore ecosystems by promoting the diverse public values of agriculture. Gardens will be created in schools and daycare centers for future generations' ecological education, healing gardens will be established in welfare facilities for users, and gardens within public facilities will be leased to local residents.
The project targets rooftops of public institutions and private facilities, as well as leftover spaces in schools, kindergartens, childcare centers, welfare facilities, and apartment complexes. Created gardens will receive guidance and support for agricultural materials from professional managers through the ‘Urban Garden Management Project.’ Children's gardens and healing gardens will operate as experiential programs.
Application requirements prioritize new sites that have not previously benefited from the project. Site selection will be conducted through a first-round on-site survey by Eunpyeong-gu and a second-round review by Seoul City.
In particular, apartment garden creation requires consent from resident representatives or other residents to apply. Rooftop garden creation support rates for waterproofing and construction costs vary depending on the facility type, so detailed plans should be reviewed. There is a mandatory three-year facility maintenance obligation to ensure continuous garden operation, so applicants should consider this.
Applications must be submitted by noon on August 15 by downloading the application form from the Eunpyeong-gu website, completing it, and sending it via email or fax to the Parks and Greenery Division of the district office.
For further inquiries, please check the announcements on the district office website or contact the Parks and Greenery Division.
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