Guri City Creates Small Park within Cooperative Park... Providing a Healing Space in Nature

Securing Citizens' Health through Renewable Energy-Powered Shelters and Barefoot Walking Paths
Mayor Baek Gyeong-hyeon: "Committed to Providing Park Environmental Services for Citizens' Healthy Lives"

Guri City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun) announced on the 10th that it has completed the 'Small Park Environment Creation Project' at Gyedong Cooperative Park (551, 555 Galmae-dong).

Guri citizens are walking barefoot in Galmae-dong Cooperative Park. Photo by Guri City

This project was promoted to respond to the climate crisis by mitigating urban heat islands, coping with heat waves, and absorbing carbon, as well as to provide a healthy resting place for local residents. The required budget was approximately 1 billion KRW, fully funded by provincial government funds.

Gyedong Cooperative Park is a neighborhood park that includes an existing forest area. It is frequently used for barefoot walking, and with the construction of six nearby knowledge industry centers, the floating population has increased, leading to a rise in visitors and a need for park maintenance.

Accordingly, the city created an urban forest by planting 103 large trees, 5,703 shrubs, and 11,970 herbaceous plants to improve the park environment and secure carbon sinks. Additionally, small gardens were installed to allow visitors to experience various seasonal atmospheres.

To expand RE100 (100% Renewable Energy Use Campaign), 57 solar-powered park lights and garden lights, as well as a solar-powered pergola, were installed to improve the park's nightscape and establish an energy-saving system.

In particular, for the existing barefoot park visitors, a 640m barefoot walking path, foot baths, and foot washing facilities were expanded to ensure safety and convenience.

Through this project, the city expects to actively respond to climate change while providing a more pleasant natural environment for local residents.

Mayor Baek Kyung-hyun of Guri City said, "It is very meaningful to create a park where residents can enjoy health and relaxation in nature, as well as achieve carbon reduction effects," adding, "We will continue to strive to provide well-maintained park environment services for the healthy lives of citizens."