Dolsan Neglected for 50 Years Transformed into ‘Gangnam Segok Sports Park’

Secluded Since the 1970s, 13,300-Pyeong Land at Segok-dong San1-7 Transformed into Gangnam-gu's First Sports Park... Featuring Soccer Field, Tennis Courts, Multipurpose Stadium, Children's Playground, Barefoot Red Clay Trail, and Shower Facilities

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) is establishing Gangnam Segok Sports Park (formerly Dolsan Sports Park), the first district-run sports park in Gangnam-gu, in the San 1-7 area of Segok-dong, and will hold a completion ceremony at 4 p.m. on the 25th.

This site was designated as a park site in 1971. In 2003, the owner SK Shipping attempted to develop it into a community sports park and comprehensive sports facility, but the project was abandoned due to lack of profitability and the land was left unattended. The district invested about 26.5 billion KRW to purchase the site in January 2020 to utilize this privately owned land, which had restricted access, as a leisure space for residents.

After gathering various opinions through a residents' briefing session in July 2020, it was decided to develop the site into a public sports facility, and construction began in December 2021. True to its name Dolsan (meaning “rock mountain”), the rocky ground posed many challenges during construction, but finally, by completing the long-awaited sports park, the land that had been neglected for over 50 years has been reborn as a space for residents. In March, through a naming contest and vote, the park was given its new name, Gangnam Segok Sports Park.

The sports park covers an area of 43,968㎡, approximately 13,300 pyeong, which is about four and a half times the size of a soccer field. It consists of one soccer field, four tennis courts, a multipurpose sports ground, a children's playground, fitness equipment, walking trails, shower facilities, and a parking lot with 60 spaces. It has also received Barrier-Free (BF) certification to ensure that people with disabilities can use the facilities safely and conveniently.

The soccer field was built to FIFA recommended dimensions of 105m in length and 68m in width, equipped with three tracks for players to warm up and spacious stands that can comfortably accommodate over 400 spectators. The originally planned three tennis courts were expanded to four to allow more tennis enthusiasts to use the facilities. Lighting was installed for nighttime exercise, and a shower room with 16 shower facilities was created so users can wash up immediately after exercising.

Additionally, various healing spaces accessible to everyone were created. There is a 670m circular walking trail around the park and a 250m bare-foot trail made of loess soil for walking exercises. Foot baths and drinking fountains are available for use after walking. Family-friendly spaces were enhanced by creating a lawn plaza, children's playground, and multipurpose sports ground where families can enjoy exercising together. Notably, the children's playground is the first in Gangnam-gu parks to introduce a tarp-type shade canopy, allowing children to play joyfully even under the midday sun.

The trees planted along the walking trails were preserved from the existing trees on site rather than discarded. A 30m-high Metasequoia path was created along the central road, and 400 large trees were relocated throughout the park. A total of 420 trees of 14 species, 39,750 shrubs of 15 species, and 62,600 flowering plants of 21 species were planted to maintain a beautiful park throughout all four seasons.

At the completion ceremony held at 4 p.m. on the 25th, about 300 residents who have long awaited the sports park will gather for a celebration. Following this, from 5 p.m., a friendly soccer match will be held at the newly built soccer field between executives of the Gangnam-gu Football Association and the district office soccer club.

In the future, this site is expected to become a large-scale healing space where urban residents can enjoy nature, as it will be connected to the nearby Yulhyeon Park (157,353㎡) and the planned Suseo Station area restoration park (tentative name) (44,920㎡), scheduled for completion in 2025.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “The sports park, born after a long wait, will be operated well to become the best space that residents can take pride in,” and added, “We will continue to expand sports and leisure facilities where people can enjoy nature, exercise, and relax in the city.”