Leading the creation of charming gardens in Dorim-dong following the flower garden in Mullae-dong public land... Transforming Yeongdeungpo, a traditionally industrial city, into an oasis with gardens in every corner, expressing the will to gift spaces of rest and healing for a rich life
Choi Ho-kwon, the mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, is drawing attention for his dedication to creating a ‘garden city.’
Mayor Choi made a strong start toward building Yeongdeungpo as a ‘garden city’ by opening the Mullae-dong Flower Garden on public land in Mullae-dong and creating an attractive garden in Dorim-dong.
Yeongdeungpo District was once an industrial complex area represented by Mullae-dong, which led Korea’s modernization. The district is now actively pursuing the creation of a ‘garden city’ to transform Yeongdeungpo into a cultural and artistic city blooming with flowers.
On the afternoon of the 8th, Mayor Choi held an opening ceremony for the Mullae-dong Flower Garden, located on public land at 55-6 Mullae-dong 3-ga.
The Yeongdeungpo Flower Garden features a lawn plaza, artist gardens, barefoot clay paths (wet and dry), and a circular walking trail. In addition, there are convenience facilities such as a Garden Support Center offering various programs themed around plants and gardens, a children’s playground, and exercise facilities.
Mayor Choi said, “It is meaningful to be able to declare a new start for garden city Yeongdeungpo together with the residents, beginning with the Mullae-dong Flower Garden. Going forward, we will create oasis-like gardens throughout Yeongdeungpo to gift spaces of rest and healing where residents can enjoy a richer life.”
Mayor Choi explained that the Mullae-dong Flower Garden site holds the history of Yeongdeungpo’s past, which led the Miracle on the Han River. He stated, “This land was publicly contributed by the late Chairman Seo Gap-ho, a patriotic entrepreneur of Korean-Japanese descent and a pioneer of Korea’s textile industry, through his Bangrim Spinning Mill for the development of Yeongdeungpo.”
He continued, “The textile factory where my mother and sisters worked hard has, over time, been reborn as a flower garden full of flowers and trees. The space, which had been completely blocked by barriers for over 20 years, began to open following residents’ demands for barrier removal and has finally returned to our community,” he recalled.
Choi Ho-gwon, Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor (right), with residents in front of the Munrae-dong Flower Garden sign stone
Mayor Choi said, “This is the fruit of local autonomy where residents are the owners. At the Flower Garden, from children to the elderly, everyone will cultivate flowers and trees together, play in the sand, exercise outdoors, walk barefoot on the clay paths and trails, and enjoy leisure culture in daily life.”
He added, “Today, with the opening of the Mullae-dong Flower Garden, we declare a new start toward garden city Yeongdeungpo. We will create oasis-like gardens throughout Yeongdeungpo to elevate the city’s dignity and enrich the lives of our residents.”
Mayor Choi stated, “Gardens are cultural and artistic works utilizing nature, spaces of leisure and happiness, and healing spaces for a healthy daily life. We will ensure that all residents can cultivate flowers and trees and enjoy leisure in companion gardens just as they care for pets.”
Following this, on the morning of the 10th, Mayor Choi visited the Yeongdeungpo Multipurpose Badminton Gymnasium and joined local residents in working together to create the Dorim-dong Attractive Garden.
On that day, 350 trees of seven species including four-season roses, western beach roses, and butterfly bushes, as well as 1,500 perennial flowers such as salvia and creeping thyme, were planted in the green area in front of the badminton court, which had become a vacant lot, providing residents with a pleasant and beautiful garden.
Near the Attractive Garden in Dorim-dong, 200 million KRW in city funds have been invested to successfully hold the district’s representative festival, the Rose Festival, including facility work such as nighttime lighting, and planting 1,500 rose bushes and 5,000 flowering plants, making thorough preparations.
Choi Ho-kwon, mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, said, “I thank everyone who attended to support the creation of the Dorim-dong Attractive Garden following the Mullae-dong Flower Garden. We will continue to create gardens throughout Yeongdeungpo to provide residents with resting spaces where they can enjoy a healthy daily life, and do our best to build ‘Garden City Yeongdeungpo.’”
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