Gwangju Seo-gu, 7.7km Barefoot Path Created... Leading the Promotion of Walking Culture

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) has completed a barefoot trail with a total length of 7.7 km.

Seo-gu announced on the 17th that it has created ‘Barefoot Trail by My Side’ in 24 locations across 18 neighborhoods for residents to conveniently and easily use anytime.

Seogu-gu has established "Barefoot by My Side," a facility that residents can always use conveniently and easily, in 24 locations across 18 neighborhoods.
[Photo provided by Seogu-gu]

Starting with Sangmu Citizen Park in Chipyeong-dong in 2022, Seo-gu established barefoot trails and loess experience sites in 14 locations across 10 neighborhoods, including Geumho and Ssanghak Children's Parks last year.

In Geumdangsan, Pungam-dong, a barefoot trail stretching 4.2 km was created, and this year barefoot trails were established in three locations including Pureum Children's Park. Additional barefoot trails are planned to be created by the end of the year at Nongsung Square, Hyosa, and Uncheon Children's Parks.

Besides parks, Seo-gu plans to install foot washing stations and guidance facilities this month at the playgrounds of Yangdong, Hyogwang, Gwangjuseo, Juwol, Geumdang Elementary Schools, and Gwangdeok High School so residents can experience barefoot walking closer to home.

In particular, the barefoot trail at Sangmu Citizen Park, popular among residents, has been enhanced with safety lighting for nighttime users and expanded to a width of 2 meters to increase resident satisfaction. Maintenance efforts such as removing foreign substances and cleaning drainage channels are also being carried out in connection with senior job projects.

Seasonal surface leveling, compaction, and replenishment of loess soil are also conducted.

Additionally, Seo-gu is promoting the spread and daily practice of barefoot walking culture through barefoot walking education, club operations, and barefoot walking challenges.

On the 11th of next month, Seo-gu will hold the ‘1st Urban Barefoot Festival,’ the first of its kind in Gwangju and Jeonnam, around the Geumdangsan area.

As part of programs to revitalize senior centers, ‘Barefoot Youth School’ is also operated, and for children, ‘Barefoot Care School’ is run. Furthermore, barefoot healing programs combining walking, yoga, and meditation, as well as barefoot mentoring projects linked to senior job initiatives, are being promoted.

Kim Ikang, Mayor of Seo-gu, said, “We are creating barefoot trails throughout the city that residents can easily visit and enjoy,” adding, “We will continue to implement various projects so that Seo-gu residents can enjoy both health and happiness during their ‘barefoot youth’ days.”

Shin Dongho, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr