Jung-gu, Seoul Creates 'Small Garden in the City' at District Office Plaza

Create a Practical Garden for the Village Gardener Training Course

Trainees in the village gardener training course are creating a flower garden. Provided by Jung-gu.

Jung-gu District in Seoul has adorned the square in front of the district office with flowers. The flowerbed in front of the district office is a practice garden created by 11 local residents undergoing the Village Gardener training course along with professional gardeners, and it will be on display until July. The trainees designed a total of five gardens, each with its own name. Every single flower was carefully selected to create a meaningful work of art.

On the morning of the 23rd, those gathered at the district office worked up a sweat under the early heat to complete the garden. Lee Eun-jin, a village gardener, said, “It’s great to create a work together with the teacher and other gardeners. I feel proud that the piece I made is displayed in front of the district office, and it’s wonderful to be able to see these flowers right in the middle of the city.”

The district operates △ the Village Gardener training course and △ garden experience programs so that residents can cultivate gardens and enjoy greenery. These programs teach “how to keep your own small garden in daily life” to help restore tired bodies and minds.

The ‘Village Gardener Training’ is a 10-session course held every Thursday. Participants learn the entire process of creating a garden, from types of garden plants and cultivation methods to garden design. This session is expected to produce a total of 11 village gardeners. Those who complete the training will receive additional points when applying for temporary positions involved in creating and managing parks, green spaces, and gardens within the district.

The ‘Garden Experience Program’ covers topics such as repotting and plant care, and making carnation flowerpots, allowing participants to enjoy greenery in their daily lives. Participants praised the program as “an enjoyable and beneficial time” and expressed a desire to continue participating.

Recently, various efforts have been made to increase green spaces in urban areas, such as creating urban forests to respond to the climate crisis. Urban forests not only improve city aesthetics but also help reduce carbon and fine dust. They also serve as sanctuaries offering a brief respite for modern people exhausted by endless competition in the concrete jungle.

The 'Small Garden in the City Center' in front of Jung-gu Office. Provided by Jung-gu.

Jung-gu is located right in the heart of the city, making green spaces even more precious. The district believes that if each small alley garden created by individuals comes together, it can form green spaces and urban forests even among the buildings. Therefore, it teaches residents how to enjoy small gardens in daily life, helping to spread gardens throughout the city and allowing residents to enjoy green relaxation.

Additionally, the district recently opened the ‘Eungbong Friendly Forest Trail,’ enabling residents to fully enjoy greenery while walking to Namsan. The trail has no stairs or steps, making it easy for the elderly and pregnant women to use, and it offers healing in a forest setting right in the middle of the city, attracting continuous foot traffic from residents.

A district official said, “Even in Jung-gu, located in the heart of the city, we will continue various efforts to ensure residents can enjoy green spaces. We will do our best to fill every visible spot with lush greenery.”