[Interview] Lee Sung, Guro District Mayor: "We Will Strive to Create a 'Green City' Where Work and Rest Coexist in the Post-Corona Era"

Creating the Largest Ecological Flower Garden in the Southwest Area at Anyangcheon with Rose Garden, Iris Garden, and More... In January, Signed 'Anyangcheon Landmark Project' Agreement with Neighboring Districts Promising Comprehensive Management Plan... Restoring Damaged Farmland Near Cheonwangsan Camping Site to Establish Ecological Forest Habitat for Various Flora and Fauna

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] "Experiencing COVID-19 has raised residents' expectations for health and rest. We are striving to build 'green infrastructure' within the city so that any resident can comfortably relax nearby without having to travel far to the suburbs."

In an interview with this publication, Lee Seong, Mayor of Guro District, said, "We are focusing on creating natural experience spaces throughout the region in preparation for the post-COVID era."

Mayor Lee proposed the riverside arboretum project as one of the pledges during the 7th local government term.

Accordingly, since 2018, Guro District has been carrying out the largest greening project in its history along three major rivers within the district?Anyangcheon, Dorimcheon, and Mokgamcheon?covering a total length of 12.61 km and a total area of 514,140㎡. As a result, Anyangcheon now features the largest ecological flower garden (17,500㎡) in southwestern Seoul, along with flower beds, a rose garden, a iris garden, a wetland, and a rural experience center, offering various attractions.

In addition, auxiliary facilities such as solar-powered information boards, thatched pavilions, and photo zones have been installed, along with palm mats to facilitate pedestrian convenience. This year, a rose tunnel and a lawn plaza will be additionally created, and ecological restoration and greening projects will continue.

In January of this year, Guro District signed a business agreement for the 'Anyangcheon Landmark Project' with three autonomous districts?Geumcheon, Yeongdeungpo, and Yangcheon?to systematically manage Anyangcheon.

Initiated by Mayor Lee Seong, the agreement commits each district to establish a comprehensive management plan for Anyangcheon, maintain continuity in ecological restoration, avoid excessive duplication of characteristic facilities within Anyangcheon, and share various facilities. Mayor Lee emphasized, "If we connect the management sections of each district and promote joint projects with themes such as rose paths and cherry blossom paths, more citizens will visit Anyangcheon."

In September last year, Guro District opened the 'Cheonwangsan Family Camping Site' covering 27,550㎡ in the Hang-dong 149-1 area. The camping site is equipped with 30 camping decks, parking lots, shower rooms, dishwashing stations, and restrooms.

Earlier this month, an ecological forest covering 9,100㎡ was completed around the camping site. On a mountain area that had been damaged due to long-term cultivation, ecological ponds, retention wetlands, bird habitats, observation decks, forest ecological playgrounds, and walking trails were established. Additionally, 279 trees including pine, plum, and hawthorn trees, 5,100 shrubs such as evergreen shrubs, hydrangeas, and azaleas, and 8,740 flowering plants including Korean asters and irises were newly planted. An artificial rock climbing wall will also open at the end of this month.

The district plans to operate ecological exploration and experiential learning programs linked to the ecological park for visitors to Cheonwangsan Camping Site, the Green Arboretum in Hang-dong, and nearby residents. Mayor Lee said, "We also plan to add facilities such as a book resting area and urban agriculture experience center to Cheonwangsan Ecological Park," adding, "Once all projects are completed, Cheonwangsan will establish itself as a complex cultural space where families can enjoy together."

The Hang-dong Green Arboretum, a representative arboretum in southwestern Seoul, will also expand from its existing 200,956㎡ by an additional 45,000㎡. Adjacent land will be incorporated to create a rock garden, natural ecology observation center, and forest bathing area.

Elsewhere in the region, residents can enjoy the 'Premium Guro Olle Trail,' a 28.5 km-long walking path connecting local forests, rivers, and urban areas. Comprising nine courses?four forest-type, three river-type, and two urban-type?the 'Premium Guro Olle Trail' provides spaces where residents can breathe fresh air and relax near their neighborhoods.

At Maebongsan in Gaebong-dong and Neunggolsan in Gocheok-dong, barrier-free (무장애) forest trails are also available. The entire trail features wooden deck roads with slopes under 8 degrees, allowing strollers and wheelchairs to be used. Families with children and elderly people who find hiking difficult can walk the forest paths without difficulty. Mayor Lee stated, "Once the green infrastructure throughout the region is completed, the entire Guro District can be enjoyed like a large natural park," concluding, "We will do our best to create a green city so that residents can recover from daily fatigue in nature."

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