Exploring the Barrier-Free Bulamsan Forest Trail with Disabled Residents of Nowon-gu

Ensuring Outdoor Activity Rights for Disabled People Restricted by COVID-19, Promoting Healthy Physical Activities... Creating an Environment for Everyone to Equally Enjoy Nature's Benefits, Building a Disabled-Friendly City Nowon

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is conducting a forest trail exploration event for residents with disabilities in the area.

The exploration, held twice on April 28 and May 4 at the Bulamsan Circular Trail, aims to promote outdoor activities for people with disabilities and is organized in collaboration with the Nowon Branch of the Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities and the Nowon Lifelong Education Center for Developmental Disabilities.

The walking course starts from the Ecological Learning Center within Bulamsan Healing Town, passing through the Ecological Pond, Azalea Hill, and Bulamsan Observatory, and is expected to take about one hour.

A professional forest guide from the Nowon Good Forest Cooperative accompanies the group to introduce various aspects of the forest, and the local welfare center for people with disabilities provides wheelchair lift vehicles to facilitate mobility for participants.

The circular trail is constructed as a gentle wooden deck path with a width of over 2 meters and a slope of less than 8%, allowing wheelchair users to pass comfortably. Additionally, an elevator observatory is operated midway along the trail so that people with disabilities and other mobility-impaired individuals can enjoy the natural scenery without difficulty.

Nowon-gu plans to strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19, adjusting the number of participants accordingly while conducting the event. They have also secured insurance to prepare thoroughly for the safety of participating people with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Nowon-gu is home to approximately 27,000 people with disabilities, the second largest number in Seoul, and operates a Disability Support Center to provide various forms of assistance. The center carefully supports people with disabilities by offering job opportunities and information for their families to ensure they are not isolated from the community and outdoor activities.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated, “The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has imposed many restrictions on the mobility and outdoor activities of people with disabilities. We will do our best to prepare diverse policies and programs so that people with disabilities can equally enjoy and heal in nature.”

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