Mayor Donghwan Lee: "Modernizing Urban Parks... Adding a Pause to Citizens' Daily Lives"

Goyang City Invests 7.61 Billion KRW for Park Modernization
Major Overhaul for 11 Parks Over 20 Years Old
Parks Citizens Look Forward to Visiting
Urban Parks Reborn as Healing Spaces

Goyang Special City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) is investing a total of 7.61 billion KRW (including national and provincial funds) to modernize 11 aging urban parks that have been responsible for citizens' leisure and relaxation.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, is giving a greeting speech at the completion ceremony of Gwan-san Neighborhood Park. Photo by Goyang Special City

According to Goyang Special City on the 11th, this project is part of efforts to reduce urban heat island effects and fine dust, and to create a living environment with rest and healing in daily life. The city plans to enhance the quality of parks by securing green spaces that allow people to feel the seasons and creating safe play areas, going beyond simple facility maintenance.

Goyang City is promoting the revitalization of the region and improving quality of life through customized park redevelopment reflecting local residents' demands. In particular, specialized projects for three representative parks with high usage rates are drawing attention.

Dongsan Flower Greeting Park, located in Dongsan-dong, Deogyang-gu, is a linear park connecting Samsonggyo to Starfield. Last year, 250 million KRW was invested to create a 1,900㎡ lawn plaza to enhance its rest function. This year, with a budget of 1.25 billion KRW, a 27,536㎡ area is being newly developed with a birch forest trail, rose garden, and nighttime lighting. A stylish renewal is underway with a target completion in July.

The lawn plaza of Dongsan Flower Viewing Park completed in 2024. Provided by Goyang Special City

Hwasu Park, located between apartment complexes in Hwajeong-dong, has high usage among all age groups but has faced complaints due to water pooling caused by old pavement blocks and monotonous landscaping. The city is investing 500 million KRW (special grant tax) to replace 3,000㎡ of pavement blocks to improve walking conditions and plant various trees to create a forest zone where seasonal changes can be felt.

Gajwa Neighborhood Park in Ilsanseo-gu is being remodeled into a community space for residents with a total investment of 1.7 billion KRW (1.4 billion KRW special subsidy + 300 million KRW special grant tax) covering an area of 50,155㎡. The aging 1 km walking trail will be repaved, and the entrance plaza will be redesigned into an open community space, leveraging its location at the center of the Gajwa residential complex to become a regional community hub.

Children's parks, which serve as play spaces for kids, will also undergo major renovations. A total of 4.16 billion KRW will be invested in nine parks including Haengbok Park, Muwon Park, Dalbit Park, and Kkotumul Park, all over 30 years old, to create safe and vibrant spaces.

Dalbit Park, Kkotmul Park, and Gaenari Park will receive an additional 210 million KRW from the fire safety grant tax to focus on safety improvements such as replacing aging play facilities, repainting, and improving access roads.

Gani Children’s Park, where the environmental improvement project was completed (scheduled for completion in 2024). Provided by Goyang Special City

Dalbit Park and Kkotmul Park will replace play equipment parts that are over 20 years old and repaint the facilities. Gaenari Children's Park will repair damaged access roads that pose safety risks and completely replace play facilities, transforming it into a creative play space where children can enjoy comfortably.

Hanbyeol Children's Park in Deogi-dong will be reborn as a themed park where guardians and children can enjoy together. With an area of 2,747㎡ and an investment of 500 million KRW (special subsidy), all play facilities will be replaced. A garden full of flowers and a lawn yard will be created, along with rest areas for guardians. Bright and safe lighting will be installed, and elastic flooring that is safe even if children fall will be used, reflecting meticulous consideration for users.

Gani Children's Park in Baekseok-dong will undergo improvement work by September this year, reducing part of the existing sand playground to convert it into an exercise space and replacing aging rest facilities and floor materials. This project was selected as a resident-participation budget project, where residents directly proposed the project and participated in the budgeting process, receiving 150 million KRW in provincial funds and planning to invest a total of 500 million KRW.

Happy Children's Park under new restroom construction. Provided by Goyang Special City.

Lee Dong-hwan, Mayor of Goyang Special City, said, "A city with parks where everyone from children to seniors wants to stay is truly a livable city," adding, "We will do our best to create parks that add a pause to citizens' daily lives and bring vitality to every neighborhood through this modernization project."