Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail, a Nostalgic Landmark, to Be Extended to Gwangwoon University Station

870-Meter Section to Open in June

Nowon District in Seoul (District Mayor Oh Seungrok) will extend the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail to the Gwangwoon University Station area. On January 21, the district announced plans to create an approximately 870-meter section from the vicinity of Nokcheon Middle School in Wolgye-dong to the Gwangwoon University Station development site, with the aim of opening it in June this year. Once the current 6-kilometer trail is extended, it will connect Wolgye-dong, cross the Jungnangcheon Stream, and reach the Seoul city boundary.

Residents are having conversations at an outdoor library event held at Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail. Provided by Nowon District.

The Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail is a linear park that was created by transforming a section of the old Gyeongchun Line, which was closed in 2010. Since 2013, Seoul City divided the area into three sections and promoted a park development project, resulting in the opening of the entire 6-kilometer trail in 2017. By preserving the original railway tracks during the transformation of the abandoned railway into a community park, the area has evoked a sense of nostalgia, making it a popular destination not only for local residents but also for visitors from neighboring districts.

To maximize the appeal of the forest trail, Nowon District has developed a cultural park at Hwarangdae Railroad Park, featuring a train cafe, Express Nowon-a European-style express train restaurant-an illuminated garden, and an exhibition hall, thereby enhancing its value as a leisure space. The stretch from Seoul National University of Science and Technology and the surrounding Gongneung-dong Happy Housing to Gongneung-dong Dokkaebi Market has also emerged as a representative "hip place" in northeastern Seoul, with its concentration of unique cafes and dessert shops.

This project gained momentum after its original plan was selected in the 2023 public contest for the utilization of idle railway land. Currently, the National Railway Authority is dismantling and relocating overhead lines and signal equipment, as well as connecting tracks. After the completion of basic infrastructure, construction of the walking trail will follow, with the goal of opening in June.

The fact that the extended section will reach the public land of the Gwangwoon University Station development project is significant, as it proactively addresses the expected increase in demand for parks. The Gwangwoon University Station development site is undergoing mixed-use development, including the relocation of Hyundai Development Company headquarters and the construction of 3,032 units of the Seoul One I-Park Apartments.

Oh Seungrok, Mayor of Nowon District, stated, "By reinterpreting the nostalgia of the past, the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail has become beloved by contemporary residents, and it is now preparing for a complete opening that will once again connect to the future. We will create a high-quality forest trail where every step along the Gyeongchun Line inspires admiration."

Citizens walking along the Gyeongchun Line Forest Trail. Provided by Nowon District.