Gangnam-gu Collaborates with Green Umbrella and Nike to Create 'Everyone's Playground'

Remodeling of Aging Basketball Courts in Gaepo-dong and Seogeunrin Park

Gaepo-dong (left in the photo) and Seogeun Neighborhood Park after remodeling. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) has transformed the basketball courts in Gaepo-dong (East) and (West) Neighborhood Parks near Gaepo-dong Station into a "Playground for All" through a public-private ESG collaboration project with Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation and Nike Korea.

The two aging basketball courts in Gaepo-dong Neighborhood Park have been remodeled into new courts featuring trendy designs. One basketball court in Gaepo-seo Neighborhood Park has been converted into a space where children and families can enjoy various sports activities such as basketball, badminton, and pickleball.

The sports courts in Gaepo-dong Neighborhood Park are open for anyone to use freely, while the courts in Seo Neighborhood Park will be utilized as physical activity spaces focused on children and families. To support this, Green Umbrella Children’s Foundation and Nike Korea plan to operate a weekly children’s physical activity program called “Active Everyone” starting next month.

According to statistics, the obesity rate among children and adolescents in South Korea surged from 14.4% in 2018 to 18.7% in 2022. Additionally, the participation rate of Korean children in physical activities is only 6%, far below the global average of 20%. The district has prepared exercise spaces where all generations, including children and adolescents, can increase physical activity and experience the joy of sports.

District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong said, “I hope the ‘Playground for All,’ which anyone from children to adults can enjoy, will become a landmark in the community,” adding, “We will continue to expand public-private ESG projects to enhance cultural and sports facilities and do our best to improve residents’ quality of life.”