Yangcheon District Transforms Neglected Green Space Next to Yangmyeong Elementary School Rear Gate into “Mini Garden”

Yangcheon District in Seoul (District Mayor Lee Gijae) announced on October 12, 2025, that it has renovated the green space next to the rear gate of Yangmyeong Elementary School, which had long been neglected and overgrown with weeds, transforming it into a rest area for residents.

Comparison before and after the Yangmyeongcho Rest Area Maintenance Project. Provided by Yangcheon District.

This project was initiated after students, parents, faculty, and nearby residents of Yangmyeong Elementary School suggested, “Please turn the overgrown green space into a rest area for our school commute.” The site is a 803-square-meter landscaped green area located at 310-5 Sinjeong-dong, between Yangmyeong Elementary School and Mok-dong Complex 10. Before the renovation, the area was overrun with trees and weeds, making it difficult to pass through and detracting from the neighborhood’s appearance.

The district selected this project as a ‘2025 Resident Participatory Budget Project,’ and after conducting design work and collecting resident feedback earlier this year, construction began in July. The project was completed after just over two months of maintenance work.

The newly created “mini garden” features 705 shrubs, including dogwood and moon glow varieties, and 3,130 perennial plants, creating a space where visitors can experience the changing seasons. Benches and pergolas have been installed to provide resting spots for children and seniors, and lighting has been added to enhance nighttime safety.

Reflecting the high number of students who commute by bicycle, the district expanded and upgraded the previously worn-out bicycle racks. The sidewalk in front of the rear gate was also replaced with non-slip blocks to improve pedestrian safety.

Since 2023, Yangcheon District has created a total of 185 mini gardens in aging green spaces, parks, and pedestrian-friendly streets throughout the area, realizing a “garden city Yangcheon” that is closely integrated with residents’ daily lives.

Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, stated, “We will continue to pursue projects that improve the living environment in ways residents can truly feel in their daily lives.”