Gapyeong County to Launch Jarasum Garden Master Plan Service

A Blueprint for Jarasum's Transformation
From "Local Garden" to "National Garden"

Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province is embarking on the establishment of a master plan to redefine the vision and objectives of the Jarasum Garden and to specify the composition of themed gardens. This initiative is significant as it goes beyond simple spatial maintenance to create a “blueprint for progress” that will lay the groundwork for Jarasum to eventually be designated as a National Garden.

Jarasum Island panorama. Provided by Gapyeong County

On January 14, Gapyeong County announced that it will proceed with the “Jarasum Garden Master Plan Establishment and Basic Design Service” until August this year. The purpose of this service is to lay the preliminary foundation for Jarasum to grow from a local garden into a National Garden. There have been ongoing concerns that the facilities and spaces on Jarasum have been developed individually, resulting in a lack of overall cohesion and direction. Through this service, the county aims to develop a mid- to long-term garden development strategy that reflects regional characteristics and sense of place, thereby enhancing the value and completeness of the Jarasum Garden.

The core focus emphasized by the county is the “National Garden Roadmap.” This master plan not only sets the vision and objectives for Jarasum Garden, but also aims to establish the foundation for its designation as a National Garden in the long term. To this end, the service will include analysis of trends in garden culture and industry, a basic survey and condition analysis of the Jarasum Garden, and the establishment of a vision and phased roadmap for National Garden designation.

The county has outlined the following detailed tasks for this service: a plan for the composition and layout of at least five themed gardens; planting plans according to the concept of each garden area; measures to prepare for quality evaluation of garden operation and management; plans for resident-participation garden programs; and strategies for organizational and personnel restructuring to improve operational efficiency.

The schedule for the service includes selecting a contractor through a bid announcement and proposal evaluation committee within January, with the service to be completed by August this year. Following the detailed design phase, full-scale implementation, including the creation of themed gardens, will begin in 2027.

Gapyeong County Promotes Establishment of Jaraseom Garden Master Plan. Provided by Gapyeong County

A county official stated, “Through this service, we will develop Jarasum into a cultural garden where visitors can stay throughout all four seasons, nurturing it as a symbolic space where the value of nature is connected to the economy. We will solidify its position as a leading space in Gapyeong where nature, culture, and tourism are harmoniously integrated.”

Meanwhile, Jarasum Garden was registered as the second local garden in Gyeonggi Province on October 15, 2025, and has also been selected as the venue for the 15th Gyeonggi Garden Culture Expo to be held in 2027.