Suwon 'Ilwol·Yeongheung Arboretum' to Open This May

Suwon Ilwol Arboretum Opening This May

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Two "high-quality urban ecological arboretums" managed by Gyeonggi-do Suwon will open in May.

Suwon City announced on the 15th that Ilwol Arboretum and Yeongheung Arboretum will open consecutively in May.

Ilwol Arboretum was created within Ilwol Park in Cheoncheon-dong, Jangan-gu, in the western Suwon area, covering an area of 101,500㎡. Completed in December last year, Ilwol Arboretum consists of eight themed gardens, including an exhibition greenhouse where Mediterranean plants can be seen, a wetland garden introducing aquatic plants, and a decorative garden where flowers can be seen throughout the four seasons.

It is regarded as Suwon City's "ecological landmark arboretum," playing a public role in systematic plant collection and research, ecological conservation, and ecological education.

Ilwol Arboretum is a "citizen participation arboretum" created together with citizens. In March 2019, a citizen discussion forum titled "Suwon Citizens Create an Arboretum" was held to reflect citizens' opinions in the park's creation, and in the same year, a "communication box" was operated within Ilwol Park, where Suwon Arboretum would be located, to collect citizens' opinions.

Yeongheung Arboretum was created in the Woncheon-dong area of Yeongtong-gu in eastern Suwon, covering 146,000㎡. It is characterized by preserving existing mountainous terrain and natural ecological environments such as rice paddies, ponds, and forests as much as possible and creating a garden-style arboretum.

It is arranged in small gardens by theme, such as Hydrangea Garden, Grass Garden, Rock Garden, Maple Garden, Rice Paddy, and Wetland Herb Garden. About 1,000 species of trees and flowers are planted, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing appearance of the forest each season.

A city official said, "We will operate Ilwol and Yeongheung Arboretums reflecting citizens' opinions," adding, "Currently, we are training citizen supporters for the arboretums and preparing guided programs using volunteers and managing themed gardens."