Creation of a 'Children's Playground' in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Jointly Developed by Public and Private Sectors

Kolon and Save the Children Sign Business Agreement for Playground Improvement Project

The appearance of Hwagok-dong Down Children's Park, created through a business agreement last year between Kolon, Save the Children, Seoul City, and Gangseo-gu.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 20th that it has signed a business agreement with Kolon Corporation, Save the Children, and Seongdong-gu to improve children's playgrounds, and for the first time in a public-private partnership project, it will newly create the playground at Doseon Children's Park in Seongdong-gu through a citizen contest.

Previously, since 2015, Seoul has improved a total of 10 sites as public-private partnership children's playgrounds as part of the 'Creative Children's Playground Reconstruction Project.' By attracting 2.8 billion KRW of private capital, it achieved budget savings and supported private sector-led participation throughout the entire playground creation process, leading the project to become self-sustaining.

Kolon, which has supported the public-private partnership project since 2016, will fully fund the project costs again this year, and in partnership with Save the Children, will carry out company-wide talent donation activities including design, planning, and construction. Seongdong-gu will support the operation of a 'resident council' so that local children and residents can participate in the project, and Seoul will sign a four-party business agreement to promote the successful implementation of the public-private partnership project.

Until now, project sites were selected by receiving applications from district offices for old children's parks in need of improvement, but this year, sites were selected through a citizen contest where citizens applied for locations they wanted. The Doseon Children's Park playground in Seongdong-gu is expected to have a significant project effect as it is located near several daycare centers, kindergartens, and schools with high potential user demand, and local residents actively operate community activities, but there was a lack of play spaces where children could freely run and play.

Based on years of experience and know-how in promoting the project, Kolon and Save the Children will create and operate a resident council called 'NolSaver' to enable local residents to actively participate in the playground creation process. They will promote play programs, child and resident design workshops, opening ceremonies, and play festivals, and even after the opening in August, they plan to lead sustainable park management by voluntarily participating in playground maintenance.

Choi Yoon-jong, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Green City Bureau, said, "We thank the companies, organizations, and citizens who restore children's right to play," and added, "We will continue to maintain collaborative relationships with private companies and organizations that have supported us so far and discover new sponsors to expand public-private partnership projects."

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