Continuous Environmental Improvement Projects for the Hangang Riverside Park
Expanding Rest Areas Amid Nature
A Total of 57,971㎡ of Lawn Plazas Created in Goyang Hangang Park and Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park
From Lawn Plazas and Picnic Areas to the Opening of Bicycle Paths
Enhancing Safety and Convenience for Citizens
Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) is continuing environmental improvement projects such as expanding green spaces and enhancing convenience facilities to develop the Hangang Riverside Park into a leisure and cultural space.
Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, riding a bicycle with citizens along the Han River. Provided by Goyang Special City
According to Goyang Special City on the 22nd, last year the city created a resting area under Banghwa Bridge at Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park, expanded security lights and CCTVs, and opened a bicycle path connecting Haengju Bridge to Ilsan Bridge.
In the first half of this year, the city will complete the construction of a 57,971㎡ lawn plaza within Goyang Hangang Park and Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park. In the leftover space in front of Yukgapmun at Daedeok Ecological Park, a pocket resting area consisting of a rock garden, lawn park, and silver grass garden will be created to expand leisure spaces.
Near Haengju Bridge in Goyang Hangang Park, a 27,189㎡ lawn plaza will be created with a project budget of 1 billion KRW. Although the original plan involved removing trees within the project site, 41 healthy trees were transplanted and utilized in landscaping to preserve nature. The plaza will be designed with grass and trees to create a harmonious natural landscape, and convenience facilities such as restrooms and drinking fountains will be installed, with completion scheduled for April this year. A picnic area with 109 spots (6x8m each) will be created within the plaza to provide convenience for visitors.
Near the riverside baseball field at Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park, a 30,782㎡ lawn plaza will be created with an investment of 1.86 billion KRW, along with expanded convenience facilities including restrooms. A picnic area with 97 spots (6x8m) and drinking fountains will also be provided.
Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park Lawn Plaza Development Site (Drone Footage). Provided by Goyang Special City
Additionally, 500 million KRW from special local tax funds will be invested to establish a 5,500㎡ pocket resting area to manage invasive alien plant species within the park. The invasive plants will be replaced with native species such as Miscanthus sacchariflorus and grass, and the area will be designed to facilitate drainage to minimize insect occurrence, completing construction by June with an eco-friendly approach.
Meanwhile, in February last year, a 3,100㎡ resting area was created on vacant land under Banghwa Bridge where Changneung Stream meets the Hangang River. As a connecting point between Changneungcheon Baramnuri-gil and Daedeok Hangang Park, additional facilities such as an earthen path walking trail and restrooms were installed to expand resting spaces for citizens enjoying walking and cycling.
In November last year, a 7 km section along the Hangang River from Sinpyeong IC to Isanpo IC, which had been inaccessible to citizens due to military fences, was opened, connecting the bicycle path from Haengju Bridge to Ilsan Bridge. Thanks to the opened bicycle path, citizens can now ride along the Hangang River without obstruction.
This bicycle path opening is part of the Hangang fence removal project initiated in 2006, which included removing fences and creating bicycle roads in the sections of Haengju Fortress Historical Park in 2012, Haengju Bridge to Gimpo Bridge in 2017, and Gimpo Bridge to Ilsan Bridge in 2019.
The Goyang Hangang Riverside bicycle path offers beautiful views of the Hangang River and the natural scenery of Janghang Wetland, registered as a Ramsar Wetland, and is expected to become part of the Goyang Peace Nuri-gil route connecting Seoul to the Imjin River.
The city has established a smart safety system to ensure safe use of Hangang Park even at night. Key sections of the park are monitored in real-time to prevent crime and track natural disaster status.
In October last year, a total of 121 security lights and 17 CCTVs were installed along approximately 3.7 km from the riverside soccer field at Goyang Daedeok Ecological Park to near Banghwa Bridge. The newly installed CCTVs enable 24-hour real-time monitoring of key points within the park, allowing prompt response to crime prevention and natural disasters.
Additionally, three parking lots have been established within the park, and a parking control system has been introduced to enhance accessibility and convenience for Hangang Park users. The Yukgapmun parking lot, riverside parking lot, and Yongchi Park parking lot have 115, 266, and 100 parking spaces respectively, totaling 481 spaces.
The city has strengthened safety and accessibility by securing key infrastructure such as safety facilities and parking lots within the park, and plans to continue projects to improve citizen satisfaction and usage rates.
Mayor Lee Dong-hwan of Goyang Special City stated, “We are continuously maintaining the Hangang Riverside Park so that citizens can enjoy leisure activities while appreciating both natural scenery and ecological environment,” adding, “We will utilize Goyang’s geographical advantage adjacent to the Hangang River to create a true ‘Hangang Life’ for our citizens.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
