Paju-si Adds Two More Forest Experience Centers for Young Children

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Kyung-il) announced on the 21st that it has additionally established two Early Childhood Forest Experience Centers in Chorongkkot Park (Dongpae-dong 2115) and Wollong Neighborhood Park (Naepori 1641).

Wollong Neighborhood Park Area Children's Forest Experience Center. Provided by Paju City

The Early Childhood Forest Experience Center is a forest education facility that helps children grow holistically by allowing them to run freely in the forest and interact with nature through their five senses. With the addition of these two centers, the total number of Early Childhood Forest Experience Centers in Paju has increased to eight.

The newly established centers were designed to preserve the existing terrain and trees as much as possible while installing play facilities such as rope play equipment and log play equipment to stimulate children's curiosity and sensory development, along with forest classrooms. Safety features such as safety rope railings and walking mats were also installed to ensure children's safety.

In particular, the Chorongkkot Early Childhood Forest Experience Center has long been anticipated by residents of the Unjeong 3 District and was created to provide children with various ecological experiences through experiential programs. Additionally, the Wollong Early Childhood Forest Experience Center boasts a comfortable space where children can spend more time in nature, strengthening their bodies and minds through various play and experiential activities in the forest.

Kim Jong-woon, Director of the Forest and Garden Division, stated, "By adding two Early Childhood Forest Experience Centers this year, Paju now has the best infrastructure for such centers among the 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. We will continue to expand nature-friendly educational infrastructure to make Paju a city that is great for raising children."

Meanwhile, since starting with Yulgok Arboretum in 2015, Paju City has established Early Childhood Forest Experience Centers in Geumchon, Tanhyeon, Unjeong Lake Park, Hakryeongsan, and Munsan, operating experiential programs free of charge. For inquiries, contact the Forest and Garden Division of Paju City Hall.