Secured 430 Million KRW in National Funding to Develop an Ecological Experience Space for Observing Various Species Including Osaek Ddaktakguri
▲ Ecological Wetlands ▲ Learning and Rest Areas ▲ Trails ▲ Rainwater Storage Installation... Exploration Programs Also Planned
Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that on the 20th of last month, it transformed a vacant lot within Cheonma Neighborhood Park (San 2, Macheon-dong) into an urban ecological learning site where various flora and fauna inhabit.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Cheonmasan in Macheon-dong is an ecological treasure trove where various protected species such as the five-colored woodpecker and the green frog live,” adding, “We promoted this ecosystem restoration project to preserve Cheonmasan, where people and nature coexist, in a healthy way and to develop it as a resting space for residents.”
As the green space of Cheonmasan, an ecological hub of Songpa-gu, has been reduced due to urban development, its function as a habitat for living organisms has weakened. Accordingly, the district took the initiative to transform the vacant lot in front of the Songpa Safety Experience Center in Cheonmasan into an ecological attraction by creating forests and wetlands to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
In October last year, the district applied for the Ministry of Environment’s “Ecosystem Conservation Charge Refund Project,” which returns development project charges to habitat conservation, securing 430 million KRW in national funds and completing the creation of an ecological learning site on a 9,269㎡ vacant lot in Cheonmasan.
The ecological learning site features diverse facilities for wildlife and visitors. The ecological wetland includes flower gardens, insect hotels, and stone piles, providing various habitats. An educational stand and a pine tree resting shelter were installed as ecological learning spaces, creating areas where people can learn and relax close to nature. To enable close observation of wetland organisms, wooden bridges and old tree plank bridges were also constructed around the wetland.
Notably, a rainwater storage tank was installed to collect rainwater, creating ecological wetlands and streams, and establishing a climate change-adaptive drainage circulation system that also prevents natural disasters such as floods. A biological escape route for amphibians like frogs was also provided in the concrete drainage channels, adding meticulous care.
In the future, the district plans to offer programs that allow visitors to enjoy nature in the city by linking the Songpa Safety Experience Education Center and the Cheonmasan Forest Healing Center located within Cheonma Park.
Additionally, from 2021 to this year, the district has promoted the Ecosystem Conservation Charge Refund Project for three consecutive years, securing a total of 1.35 billion KRW in national funds, and has revitalized the vacant green spaces of Neolmun Neighborhood Park in Macheon-dong and Jangji-dong into healthy ecological experience areas.
Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, expressed, “I hope Cheonmasan, developed as a healthy habitat for flora and fauna, will be loved even more as a resting spot for residents in the city,” and added, “We will continue to strive to discover damaged spaces and ecological rest areas to restore ecosystems and provide resting spaces for residents.”
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