Gangbuk-gu Expands Operation of 'Saengmyeong Sarang Mind Health Forest Trail'

Odong Neighborhood Park Entire Section and Bukhansan Dulle-gil Trail Added... 140 Signposts Installed Conveying Warm Comfort and the Value of Life

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is expanding the operation of the ‘Life-Love Mind Health Forest Trail’ to deliver warm messages of comfort and encouragement to visitors of Odong Park and the Bukhansan Dulle-gil hiking trail.

This forest trail was created by installing signposts engraved with messages emphasizing the value of life along the existing walking paths. A total of 140 signs featuring eight types of hopeful messages, such as “We are by your side! Let’s share your difficult feelings together” and “You are a precious person who is meaningful just as you are,” have been placed to offer hope to those who visit the trail feeling weary of life.

The ‘Life-Love Mind Health Forest Trail’ was expanded from the previously installed Opaesan barrier-free trail, which received high approval from residents, to cover the entire Odong Neighborhood Park and the Bukhansan Dulle-gil. The trail starts at the Suyu Branch Office Visitor Center and connects to the entrance of the Uiryeong Forest Village.

In particular, the Dulle-gil section includes the district’s representative tourist course called ‘Neorang Narang Urirang (Rangrangrang)’ walking trail. Rangrangrang is a stamp healing tour that links the district’s historical, cultural, and tourist attractions. Starting from the Modern History Memorial Hall, the route passes the April 19 Observatory, the Pine Tree Rest Area, and ends at the Uidong Meeting Plaza, allowing visitors to explore Gangbuk-gu’s key landmarks.

If visitors collect stamps at four main points and present them at affiliated local businesses nearby, they receive a 10% discount on food prices. The Meeting Plaza and the Modern History Memorial Hall also have health centers where visitors can check their blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and learn life-saving CPR techniques.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, “The ‘Life-Respecting Mind Health Forest Trail’ is a suitable walking path for ‘social distancing’ trekking in an urban forest,” adding, “Walking while breathing in phytoncides under the pine trees at the foot of Bukhansan will quickly lift your spirits and make you feel physically and mentally healed.”

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