Seongbuk-gu Creates Ecological Gardens Along Uicheon and Jeongneungcheon Streams

Sogeunnae-gil Summer Garden and Jeongneungcheon Rest Area

On January 20, Seongbuk-gu in Seoul (headed by District Mayor Lee Seungro) announced that it has renovated the aging banks of the Uicheon and Jeongneungcheon streams, transforming them into citizen-centered ecological rest areas.

View after the development of Uicheon (Uicheon Fullip Book Deck). Provided by Seongbuk District.

The district created the 'Sogeunnae-gil Summer Garden' along the embankment of the Uicheon stream. 'Sogeunnae' refers to a small stream that once flowed along Uicheon in the past. By making use of the shaded and cool topographical features, the district developed this area into a summer-specialized ecological garden where visitors can comfortably stay even during the hot summer months.

The area features an open lawn plaza, the 'Leaf Book Deck' offering views of the Uicheon waterfront, and an attractive garden enhanced by nighttime landscape lighting. A total of 3,869 trees and shrubs of 29 species, including crape myrtles, and 11,270 perennials of 48 species, such as Astilbe, have been planted to allow visitors to enjoy beautiful flowers and plants during the summer.

For Jeongneungcheon, the formerly dark and desolate space beneath the Inner Ring Road has been improved into a nature-friendly, garden-style rest area. Along the walkway under the bridge piers, 2,387 trees and shrubs of 16 species, including hydrangeas, and 5,198 perennials of 20 species, such as verbena, have been planted, creating a garden where visitors can experience seasonal changes throughout the year.

In particular, around the area of the covered bridge at Wolgok Station, a sports area accessible to all generations has been established, transforming the previously simple passageway beneath Jeongneungcheon into a complex cultural and sports space.

A district official stated, "Through the creation of creative spaces that leverage the topographical characteristics of Uicheon and the practical improvements to Jeongneungcheon, citizens can now experience the beauty of all four seasons close to home. We will continue to enhance the quality of life for residents by developing leisure spaces that make the most of the unique features of our streams."