Opening of the 'Barefoot Walking Trail' in Songpa-gu

Two Barefoot Paths Using 100% Ochre Soil from Boryeong, Chungnam Opened and Foot Bath Facility Established... 'Ochre Experience Zone' Created Along Seokchon Lake at Songpa Naru Park and Preserving Ogum Park's Hill Terrain... Seogangseok, Songpa District Mayor, "Creating Ochre Paths in the City to Enhance Residents' Health and Happiness"

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) announced that it has completed the establishment of the 'Citizen Health Loess Experience Zones' at Songpanaru Park and Ogeum Park to promote the health of its residents, and opened two loess barefoot walking paths with an opening ceremony on October 25.

The district, aiming for a "healthy city through community sports," selected ▲ Songpanaru Park, which has high accessibility in the urban area, and ▲ Ogeum Park, which already had demand from barefoot walking users, to promote the barefoot walking trail project so that many residents can experience the barefoot walking exercise, a recent health trend.

In particular, reflecting residents' requests for the creation of loess paths during the 'Dialogue with Residents' held earlier this year, two barefoot loess paths were created in the parks using loess, which has the effect of removing toxins from the body.

The two newly established loess experience zones use 100% fine loess, 5mm sieved, collected from Boryeong, Chungnam, filled to a depth of 20cm to maintain a soft texture. Additionally, foot washing stations were installed right next to the experience zones, and pergolas were set up to allow convenient use even on rainy days.

First, at Songpanaru Park located by Seokchon Lake, a 107-meter loess path was created. By utilizing part of the existing walking trail on the west side of Seokchon Lake, park damage was minimized, allowing visitors to experience the loess path in the forest while overlooking Seokchon Lake. It is expected to become a new healing spot in the city that satisfies both tactile and visual senses.

At Ogeum Park, a 110-meter 'Loess Experience Zone' was created by utilizing the park terrain where most walking trails are dirt paths. Additionally, a loess ball pool with acupressure effects was installed to add fun. Ogeum Park, already recognized as a barefoot walking hotspot, allows visitors to enjoy forest bathing and barefoot walking simultaneously with the loess path that preserves the charm of the natural hills. Especially, a foot washing station, a long-awaited project by residents, was also installed, transforming it into a barefoot walking specialized park.

Moreover, various barefoot walking paths are scattered throughout Songpa-gu. The 'Barefoot Park in Jangji Park' is loved by many people of all ages with acupressure paths of varying difficulty levels using various materials such as loess balls and cypress cubes. The 'Health Acupressure Path on Hangaram-ro,' located behind Jamsil Els Apartment, offers a diverse barefoot walking experience with paths made of loess soil, loess ball acupressure, grass waterways, gravel, and logs.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, "Through this 'Loess Experience Zone,' I hope residents can enjoy a healthier and happier life close to their daily lives," and added, "We will continue to expand the loess path infrastructure for residents' health and promote barefoot walking to create a 'Healthy City Songpa.'"