Mayor Kim Donggeun: "A City Where Children and People with Disabilities Can Run Freely Is a Truly Inclusive City"

Uijeongbu City Holds Meeting to Mark Three Years of "Everyone's Playground" Opening
A New Model for Sports Welfare Created by Opening Public Facilities
From Staff-Only Multipurpose Facility to Expanded Community Sports Space
Ensuring the Right to Exercise for Children, Adolescents, and People with Disabilities with Limited Access

Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Donggeun) held an on-site meeting on November 17 at "Everyone's Playground" within City Hall to commemorate the third anniversary of its opening, sharing the facility's operational achievements and gathering feedback from participating organizations. The purpose of this meeting was to directly assess how Everyone's Playground, a space created by opening a previously staff-only area to the public, has contributed to changes in the local community over the past three years.

Kim Donggeun, the mayor, is communicating with attendees at the meeting commemorating the 3rd anniversary of the opening of Modu Stadium on the 17th. Provided by Uijeongbu City

More than ten representatives from local welfare organizations attended, including the Uijeongbu City Social Welfare Council, the Uijeongbu Branch of the Gyeonggi Association of Parents of the Disabled, the Gomduri House Short- and Long-Term Care Center for the Disabled, and the Ire Mental Rehabilitation Center. Together with the mayor, they observed programs in action and evaluated user feedback and facility performance.

An "Open Gym" for Children and People with Disabilities Who Had Nowhere to Exercise

Everyone's Playground was originally a multipurpose facility within City Hall used exclusively by public officials. However, starting at the end of 2022, it was opened to citizens facing a lack of exercise spaces, such as children at local community centers and individuals with developmental disabilities, giving the facility new policy significance.

In the 1,825-square-meter indoor sports facility, children and people with disabilities can run freely, enjoy various recreational sports programs, and interact with different organizations, establishing a new model for sports welfare.

On regular days, the facility is also available to the general public, including tennis club members, and hosts various community programs such as festivals and events, expanding its role as a "space open to all citizens."

This is considered a leading example of the city's philosophy of "returning public facilities to citizens" being realized as an actual policy.

Mayor Donggeun Kim is communicating with attendees at the 3rd anniversary meeting of the opening of Everyone's Playground on the 17th. Provided by Uijeongbu City

Three Years of Rooted Sports Welfare Programs... Stabilizing the Operational Foundation

Everyone's Playground operates for six months each year, from April to June and September to November, excluding periods of extreme heat and cold. From its first year of opening, both programs for vulnerable groups and general citizen use have received strong positive responses.

In particular, excluding general open use, more than 3,900 people from vulnerable groups have participated in dedicated programs over the past three years, establishing a stable operational foundation.

In 2022, there were 27 sessions with 248 participants; in 2023, this grew significantly to 163 sessions and 1,896 participants. In 2024, there were 57 sessions with 1,002 participants, and in 2025, 50 sessions with 802 participants, demonstrating stable operations. Notably, since 2024, participating organizations have been running their own programs, and demand for the facility remains steady.

In addition to regular programs, Everyone's Playground has continuously hosted various events and sports activities for people with developmental disabilities. Participation in these activities reached 1,438 in 2023, 860 in 2024, and 553 in 2025.

The number of participating organizations, including mental rehabilitation centers, short- and long-term care centers for the disabled, and local community centers, continues to grow. Everyone's Playground is effectively improving access to sports for vulnerable groups.

Furthermore, from December of last year to February of this year, the facility collaborated with the city's indoor ice rink and curling stadium to run seasonal programs (with over 150 participants), helping vulnerable groups continue physical activities even during winter.

Mayor Donggeun Kim held a meeting on the 17th to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of the opening of Modu Stadium, communicating with stadium users. Provided by Uijeongbu City

Changes Confirmed On-Site... "The Most Anticipated Time for Users with Disabilities"

At the meeting, organization representatives shared firsthand the positive changes brought by Everyone's Playground.

For users with developmental disabilities and those at mental rehabilitation centers, the lack of accessible sports facilities in daily life often leads to gaps in physical activity. Everyone's Playground, operated within City Hall, is recognized as a rare space where users can move safely and freely without concern. As a result, feedback described the program time as "the most anticipated time" for users.

One attendee remarked, "This is a precious space where people with disabilities and children can be active freely in a safe environment," emphasizing the need for continued operation.

Another participant noted, "For adults with mental disabilities, physical activity is an important process for maintaining daily rhythm," adding that Everyone's Playground has greatly helped boost participants' self-esteem and health.

Mayor Kim Donggeun is taking a commemorative photo with attendees at the meeting celebrating the 3rd anniversary of the opening of Everyone's Playground on the 17th. Provided by Uijeongbu City

The Intersection of Inclusion, Welfare, and Sports... The Uijeongbu Model for Sports Welfare

Over the past three years, Everyone's Playground has evolved beyond simply opening an indoor gymnasium. It has developed into a new model at the intersection of urban sports welfare, social inclusion, and public facility opening policies.

This initiative has expanded the right to exercise for vulnerable groups such as people with developmental or mental disabilities and children in welfare, and has increased the public value of public facilities by opening a previously staff-only space to citizens.

It has also helped reduce gaps in physical activity among children and adolescents by promoting participatory sports activities, and has fostered a community-centered sports culture through collaboration with welfare organizations.

The city plans to further develop Everyone's Playground as an inclusive hub for community sports by expanding cooperation with organizations and diversifying programs.

Mayor Kim Donggeun stated, "A city where children and people with disabilities can run and enjoy themselves to their heart's content is a truly inclusive city," adding, "Everyone's Playground is a leading example of opening public offices to citizens and connecting them to sports welfare. We will continue to expand safe environments where everyone can exercise freely."