'Urban Healing'... Suwon Ilwol and Yeongheung Arboretums Officially Open on the 19th

Suwon Ilwol and Yeongheung Arboretums, healing spaces in the city, will officially open on the 19th.

Two 'urban arboretums' in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, will officially open on the 19th.

On the 16th, Suwon City announced that Ilwol Arboretum (61 Ilwol-ro, Jangan-gu), located right next to Ilwol Reservoir, and Yeongheung Arboretum (435 Yeongtong-ro, Yeongtong-gu), surrounded by Yeongheung Forest Park, will open on that day.

Ilwol Arboretum covers an area of 101,500㎡ and houses 2,016 species, about 52,000 plants, and approximately 429,000 individual specimens. As an ecological landmark of Suwon and an urban hub arboretum located in a large city, it aims to spread plant culture through the collection and conservation of plant resources, including native plants. Operating under the mission "More vibrant nature, into citizens' daily lives," it allows citizens to feel real nature up close.

From the entrance, Ilwol Arboretum impresses visitors with a refreshing sense of openness. Through the glass windows of the visitor center, visitors can enjoy a well-maintained view of the arboretum as well as the serene reservoir scenery, providing a breath of fresh air from the daily stresses. Passing through the entrance to the outdoors, visitors will see the 'Exhibition Greenhouse,' the main attraction of the arboretum. The decorative garden located on the way to the greenhouse features beautiful seasonal flower gardens. Currently, blooming roses await visitors. Roses of various sizes, shapes, and colors, combined with a fountain, create an exotic atmosphere, making it a perfect photo zone.

Yeongheung Arboretum spans 146,000㎡ and contains 1,084 species, about 42,000 plants, and approximately 118,000 individual specimens. It is a botanical garden created by utilizing the mountainous terrain, focusing on promoting garden culture that citizens can enjoy directly through education and recreation. Its mission is "Creating a high-quality garden culture in daily life through citizen participation."

Yeongheung Arboretum, developed by preserving the existing mountainous terrain, offers a forest trail that was unexpected amidst the apartment complexes in the Yeongtong district. The visitor center itself is designed with the motif of a large mountain lodge, creating an atmosphere like being at a mountain lodge caf? right from the entrance. Like Ilwol Arboretum, the entire arboretum can be viewed through glass windows at the front, but since the mountains on both sides embrace the area like arms, it feels cozy rather than open.

Unlike regular parks, these two arboretums prohibit camping, cooking, drinking, smoking, littering, and other activities during visits. Access to plant planting areas is restricted, and the use of tripods, bicycles, and kickboards is also not allowed.

A Suwon City official said, "With the opening of these two arboretums, citizens of Suwon Special City can enjoy the benefits of experiencing diverse nature within the city. We will strive to provide differentiated programs throughout the year so that citizens can easily visit and enjoy green cultural spaces in their daily lives."