Summer Retreat Spot 'Hampyeong Expo Park Water Playground' to Close This Year

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The ‘Hampyeong Expo Park Water Playground,’ a popular summer vacation spot, will be closed this year due to the impact of COVID-19.

On the 18th, Hampyeong County announced that it will cancel the operation of the Hampyeong Expo Park Water Playground, which usually opens from July to August every year, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Opened in 2010, the Hampyeong Expo Park Water Playground is a family-oriented water park equipped with various play facilities such as a wave pool (782㎡), infant pool (78㎡), children’s pool (234㎡), slide pool (1,055㎡), and water bucket (251㎡).

In particular, it has received high praise for its clean water quality, affordable prices, and allowance of delivery food, gaining popularity through word of mouth. Last year alone, it recorded about 57,000 visitors and revenue of approximately 540 million KRW.

A county official explained, “The Hampyeong Expo Water Playground is a representative summer resort facility in the Jeonnam region that attracts numerous vacationers every holiday season. However, considering the recent signs of a resurgence of COVID-19, we have decided to fully cancel the operation plan to prevent the spread of local infections.”

In fact, infectious disease control experts point out that water play facilities pose a high risk of droplet transmission due to prolonged close contact among unspecified many people in confined spaces.

Moreover, since most users are children and wearing masks in the water is practically impossible, there are many restrictions in complying with the authorities’ quarantine and hygiene guidelines, experts agree.

Jung Youngseong, Director of the Hampyeong County Expo Park Office, said, “The Korea Meteorological Administration has forecasted a higher-than-average heatwave this summer, and the county itself had high expectations for the water playground’s success this year, so it is regrettable. We ask for the understanding and cooperation of visitors as the cancellation was a difficult decision made after comprehensively considering the health of local residents and the ripple effects on the local economy.”

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