Pohang, a City Ideal for Barefoot Walking, Citizens Voluntarily Participate in 'Barefoot-ro' Maintenance

Residents' Efforts: Infrastructure Expansion Including Installation of Shared Shoe Racks for Barefoot Users

Regular Meetings of Barefoot Walking Enthusiasts, Combining Plogging and Safe Barefoot Care

As the number of visitors seeking the barefoot paths created under the Pohang GreenWay policy continues to rise, Pohang citizens are voluntarily joining forces to maintain these barefoot paths, setting a commendable example.

Pohang’s “Top 30 Barefoot Walking Paths,” featuring diverse characteristics such as urban forests, neighborhood parks, the sea, and reservoirs, are gaining popularity among barefoot walking enthusiasts through word of mouth. With the expansion of convenience facilities like foot washing stations, Pohang’s barefoot walking infrastructure is being established.

In particular, as the demand for “barefoot walking in daily life” increases, the number of barefoot paths around residential areas such as apartment complexes is gradually growing, with citizens directly participating in their maintenance.

The recently completed Raonjena-gil barefoot path is regularly cleaned and maintained by residents of nearby apartments, and the apartment community association has installed a shared shoe rack for barefoot path users.

Donated shoe rack installed (Ocheon Won-dong 11 Park).

Additionally, shared shoe racks have been installed through residents’ efforts at other barefoot paths such as Ocheon Wondong 11 Neighborhood Park, Songdo Pine Forest, Yangdeok-dong Tree Ginkgo, and Heunghae Bukcheon Water barefoot paths.

Moreover, the Barefoot School Pohang branch, which includes barefoot walking enthusiasts, holds regular meetings every Sunday and combines plogging activities, directly cleaning the barefoot paths to encourage citizens’ interest in keeping them clean.

To effectively manage the barefoot paths, Pohang City has established the “Citizen Participation Pohang GreenWay Barefoot Path Management Plan” and plans to match volunteer groups with specific sections starting in 2024, enabling citizens to manage the barefoot paths themselves.

A city official stated, “We hope citizens will show great interest and participation in keeping the barefoot paths clean for safe barefoot walking,” adding, “We will continue to do our best to build infrastructure that promotes barefoot walking.”