Nowon-gu Expands Resident Rest Areas Amid COVID-19 Daily Life

Published 08 Feb.2021 08:24(KST)

Take a break while walking or biking... Jungnangcheon-Danghyeoncheon confluence 'Meeting Plaza'... Discover hidden beautiful scenery... Maintenance of Suraksan-Bulamsan trail... Subtle night lighting minimizing glare for safety and ambiance... 'Bulamsan Light Garden'... Experience the seasons created by science and art on the Media Train... 'Gyeongchun Line Light Garden'... All achieved through the collaboration of District Mayor Oh Seung-rok and Healing City Director Choi Kwang-bin, former Deputy Mayor and former head of Seoul Green City Bureau.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is focusing on expanding everyday relaxation spaces where residents exhausted by COVID-19 can heal their bodies and minds.

□ Come heal at natural urban streams

To accommodate residents and cyclists enjoying outdoor activities during the COVID-19 era, a total of 11 billion KRW was invested to carry out major stream redevelopment projects.

First, at the confluence of Jungnangcheon and Danghyeoncheon in front of Danghyeon 4 Bridge, a ‘Meeting Plaza’ was created by utilizing about 900㎡ of adjacent idle land next to the existing sports area.

Four sets of multi-parasols, rest tables, and chairs were installed, and the existing shade tents were newly replaced. Outdoor benches, drinking fountains, and vending machines selling simple beverages were also installed to enhance resident convenience.

To ensure safe exercise, old equipment was replaced and new exercise equipment was additionally installed. For cyclists’ rest, a new rack capable of holding 15 bicycles was also prepared.

Along the walking paths, about 7,000 shrubs including zelkova trees, flowering dogwoods, and spiraea, as well as about 7,000 herbaceous plants such as echinacea and golden euonymus, were planted to create a healing resting place for residents.

Additionally, approximately 17.36 km of walking and bicycle paths along Jungnangcheon and Danghyeoncheon were refurbished, and a previously disconnected 0.32 km section of the Uicheon walking path was newly created.

Moreover, resting spaces were established at 14 locations along Jungnangcheon, 20 locations along Danghyeoncheon, and 11 locations along Uicheon, expanding 101 exercise machines, 19 shade tents, and 172 benches.

Jungnangcheon Meeting Plaza

□ Surrounded by hidden beautiful scenery: Suraksan and Bulamsan trails and hiking paths

Trails and hiking paths, which have emerged as non-contact family tourist destinations due to COVID-19, were also maintained.

The 18.6 km section of the Surak-Bulam course, the first section of the Seoul Dulle-gil that circles Seoul, was transformed into a more pleasant and safe hiking environment. The entire area was refurbished with new coir mats, safety railings, wooden stairs, stone stairs, retaining walls, and transverse drainage facilities. Twelve dangerous side paths were closed, and benches and exercise equipment were additionally installed to allow visitors to enjoy rest and exercise.

On Suraksan hiking trails totaling 23.4 km and Bulamsan hiking trails totaling 16.5 km, old and damaged decks and wooden stairs were repaired and walking mats installed. For safety, 125 side paths were closed, and handrail ropes installed along the hiking trails were replaced.

Meanwhile, in January, the district launched the Nowon Environmental Ecology Travel app. By installing the app on a smartphone and activating it while moving, users receive convenient GPS-based automatic notifications when approaching guide points. The app provides video services and explanations for the Bulam-Surak section of the Seoul Dulle-gil, offering information about rock names, nearby birds and plants, and cultural heritage.

□ Healing spaces to enjoy not only during the day but also after sunset

First, a light garden was newly created in the 8,400㎡ azalea hill within Bulamsan Healing Town.

Lighting was installed under the railings along the circular walking path deck to allow safe evening strolls. Considering the surrounding greenery, indirect step lighting was used to minimize glare, enabling visitors to enjoy the gentle lighting comfortably.

The light garden also features symbolic installations. Three purple rings of 2 m, 2.4 m, and 3 m representing azaleas, and a golden folding screen light installation measuring 7.2 m wide and 2.5 m high symbolizing the spectacular view of Bulamsan add visual delight. The night lighting turns on at sunset and off at 10 p.m.

Bulamsan Bulbit Garden

In April, a Garden Support Center equipped with a greenhouse caf?, practice room, and plant hospital will newly open in Bulamsan Healing Town, adding more rest spaces for residents.

The Gyeongchun Line Light Garden, which temporarily suspended operations due to COVID-19, has also been newly refurbished. First is the ‘Media Train’ shaped like a train. A large media glass using smart display materials, measuring the size of three Mugunghwa train cars (20 m, 60㎡), was installed in front of the existing Mugunghwa train.

Dynamic and diverse video media art is realized through LED lighting. Six famous domestic and international artists, including Lee Inam, Lee Dona, and Emily Young, present video works themed on nature and art. The interactive content via a touch kiosk offers an engaging experience, promising a unique encounter.

Works showcased during the Nowon Moonlight Walk held at Danghyeoncheon in 2020 can also be seen. These include ‘Moonlight Cave,’ expressing a hut where humans first contained and used fire from nature, ‘Cheonjijin,’ symbolizing harmony and tradition, and animal artworks featuring giraffes, ducks, and penguin friends placed throughout the area.

Additionally, resting decks were installed around the light tunnel to expand resting spaces, adding relaxation to the attractions.

From the entrance of Hwarangdae Station on Subway Line 6 to Nowon Light Garden, guiding landscape lighting was installed. Using a ‘wall washer’ lighting method without direct light exposure, glare for pedestrians and drivers nearby is minimized.

Also, beautiful urban nightscapes are created using fiber optic reed lighting, which is safe and capable of producing diverse color changes. Completion is scheduled for March.

The Gyeongchun Line Light Garden is open year-round from Tuesday to Sunday (closed every Monday), from 30 minutes before sunset until 10 p.m., and is free for all visitors.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “We will continue to strive to expand healing spaces in daily life so that residents can heal their tired bodies and minds in nearby rest areas created throughout the neighborhood.”