Will Dobong-gu Become the 'Barefoot Walking Mecca'? ... Three Sites Including Hwangtotgil Created in the First Half of This Year

Dobong-gu to Create Three Places Including Hwangtotgil and Barefoot Walking Trails by Mid-Year
Hwangtotgil (Wet Type) and Hwangto Ball Field to Be Established at Choansan Neighborhood Park (Changdong 677 Area)
Themed Healing Barefoot Forest Trail at Changdong San 194-6 Area
Hwangtotgil on Jungnangcheon Embankment from Dobong Seowon@ Buildings 104 to 116 Section

Dobong-gu is accelerating efforts to create walking paths suitable for barefoot walking along rivers, parks, and forests.

Dobong-gu (Mayor Oh Eon-seok) announced that by the first half of this year, it will establish loess paths and barefoot forest trails in three locations within the district, including around 677 Changdong in Choan Mountain Neighborhood Park.

To this end, the district previously enacted the "Ordinance on Supporting the Activation of Barefoot Walking in Dobong-gu, Seoul" in December last year and established a detailed implementation plan called the "Barefoot Trail Creation and Barefoot Walking Activation Plan" last month.

With a target completion date of June this year, the district plans to create a loess path (round trip, 134m), a loess foot bath, and a loess ball experience area around 677 Changdong in Choan Mountain Neighborhood Park, and a themed barefoot forest trail (approximately 4.4km) around 194-6 Changdong.

By April, a section of about 600m along the embankment path of Jungnangcheon Stream, from Dobong Seowon Apartment Building 104 to 116, will be converted into a loess path.

Various convenience facilities such as foot washing stations, shoe racks, and rest shelters will also be provided here, and the district expects to offer customized park services tailored to the usage patterns of different users.

To ensure high-quality loess paths and barefoot forest trails, the district plans to seek advice from experts in related fields and the Barefoot Walking National Movement Headquarters, as well as refer to best practices from other autonomous districts.

Along with creating loess paths and barefoot forest trails, the district is also focusing on building infrastructure to spread the barefoot walking culture within the region.

On February 27, the district signed a business agreement with the Barefoot Walking National Movement Headquarters, pledging cooperation to build and activate barefoot walking infrastructure in Dobong-gu. According to the agreement, the two organizations will jointly promote barefoot walking education and walking campaigns in the future.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, "We will create paths suitable for barefoot walking throughout the district’s rivers, parks, and forests so that residents can enjoy the pleasures of daily life while walking in the clean air within the city."