Operation of Gaeungsan and Jatjeol Park Children's Forest Experience Centers in Guro-gu

Providing Urban Children Opportunities to Connect with Nature and Foster Creativity and Inquiry... Renovated Last Year with Tree Planting and Facility Expansion... Forest Guides Conduct Experiential Programs

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Guro-gu (Mayor Lee Seong) operates infant forest experience centers at Gaewoongsan and Jatjeol Park.

Guro-gu announced on the 4th that it is conducting forest experience programs to provide urban children with opportunities to freely play in nature and develop creativity and inquiry skills. Both the Gaewoongsan and Jatjeol Park forest experience centers were renovated last year, allowing them to welcome children with improved facilities.

The Gaewoongsan Infant Forest Experience Center was established on a 11,000㎡ area around San 53-3, Gaebong-dong. Artificial facilities were minimized, and existing terrain features were utilized to create various facilities such as a wooden playground, forest classroom, sand play area, and resting spots. Wooden chairs and tables made from recycled wood, a suspension bridge, and tightrope walking facilities were also provided.

Additionally, about 1,000 trees of 15 species including Rhododendron and Liriope were newly planted last year to create a denser forest. Facility construction was also carried out to ensure children's safe use, including shelters, comprehensive information boards, and gates.

The Jatjeol Park Infant Forest Experience Center, located within Onsu Urban Nature Park (45-2, Gaebong-dong), was created on a total area of 11,000㎡. It features themed play spaces such as a wooden craft yard, tree house, and Indian hut.

Last year, on vacant land, additional experiential facilities that satisfy children's adventurous spirit such as tightrope crossing and rope climbing, as well as learning spaces for group classes and rest facilities, were installed.

Professional infant forest instructors are assigned to each experience site to assist children in enjoyable and safe activities.

Guro-gu recently completed recruitment of daycare centers and kindergartens to participate in the regular forest experience programs. Outside of the regular program hours, the facilities are open free of charge to residents.

A Guro-gu official stated, “We will pay special attention to the maintenance and management of facilities for the convenience and safety of users,” and added, “We hope that children, who are familiar with television and smartphones these days, will realize the joy of playing with nature through the forest experience centers.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.