[Seoul District News] Gangnam-gu Creates Forest, Lawn, Fitness Center, etc. in Circular Plaza at the Heart of ‘Walking-Friendly Maebong-gil’ Open to Residents ... Dongjak-gu Jangseung Park 'Ground Fountain' Opens ... Seongbuk-gu to Host ‘August Seongbuk Residents Walking Contest’ at Gaewoonsan on 27th
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) has completed the creation of the ‘Maebong Healing Forest,’ covering approximately 1,800㎡ in the circular plaza within Maebongsan Dogok Neighborhood Park, a mountainous urban park, and opened it to residents last month.
The district received 600 million KRW in national funding to carry out the second phase of the Dogok Neighborhood Park maintenance project. They laid grass in the circular plaza and restored the forest ecology by planting 12,200 trees and herbaceous plants, including Hwangmaehwa, on the damaged mountainous areas around it. Additionally, they installed deck rest areas and fitness equipment in the plaza, creating the complex healing space called ‘Maebong Healing Forest.’
The district plans to continuously manage the Maebong Healing Forest so that it can become a forest resting place for residents’ relaxation and physical training.
In February, Gangnam-gu completed the first phase of the Dogok Neighborhood Park maintenance project by refurbishing a circular walking trail around the park, installing deck roads and night lighting to create the ‘Maebong Trail you want to walk.’ The Maebong Healing Forest is located at the center of this trail.
Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “With the opening of the ‘Maebong Healing Forest’ following the ‘Maebong Trail you want to walk,’ the first and second phases of the Dogok Neighborhood Park maintenance project have been completed. We expect that once the third phase maintenance project on the donated site of Gangnam Severance Hospital in 2024 is finished, the Maebongsan trail will be reborn as a more pleasant ‘customized resting place for residents.’”
Dongjak-gu (District Mayor Park Il-ha) has newly opened a ground fountain in Jangseung Park (900-5 Sangdo-dong) so that children and parents can play safely and coolly in the park.
The newly opened ground fountain in Jangseung Park was created by actively reflecting residents’ opinions that facilities are needed for children to enjoy coolly in nearby parks during the summer.
The district invested a total of 150 million KRW, completed the facility inspection on the 28th of last month, and opened it on the 29th.
The ground fountain covers an area of 30㎡ and will operate until September 31. Operating hours are daily from 12 PM to 5 PM, running six 30-minute sessions on the hour. Lighting is installed within the fountain, and nighttime operation is under consideration based on residents’ feedback.
Additionally, with the arrival of the peak summer season, the district will conduct water quality tests twice a month through the health center until the end of September to ensure children’s cleanliness and safety.
Jangseung Park is located in Sangdo 2-dong and is known among residents as a good park for walking, equipped with a rose garden, rocking chairs, and resting areas.
Kim Won-sik, Director of the Parks and Greenery Division, said, “With the installation of this ground fountain, we hope children can safely enjoy water play nearby while the cool scenery helps beat the summer heat, making it a local landmark.”
For more details about the ground fountain in Jangseung Park, please contact the Parks and Greenery Division.
Seongbuk-gu (District Mayor Lee Seung-ro) will hold the ‘August Seongbuk Residents Walking Contest’ on the 27th.
This walking contest is especially meaningful as it resumes after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50-minute walking course starts at the badminton court at the entrance of Gaewoonsan (Central Badminton Club), passes through the Gaewoonsan trail, and ends at the Sanmaru Book Cafe. It aims to widely promote Seongbuk-gu’s pleasant walking paths and encourage continuous walking activities to improve residents’ health levels.
Residents wishing to participate can join anyone by arriving at the badminton court at Gaewoonsan entrance at 9 AM on the day of the event. In addition to the walking contest, various health booths such as smoking cessation clinics and dementia prevention counseling will be available, along with a raffle featuring prizes like bicycles and home appliances.
Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stated, “I hope this walking contest serves as a chance for residents exhausted by COVID-19 to recharge. Walking is the most fundamental activity to maintain health, and we will continue efforts to create a city where all Seongbuk residents live healthily and happily.”
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