Promotion of Seoul Citizens' Sports Park under Noeul Park in Mapo-gu

Assemblyman Kim Ki-deok Holds Kick-off Meeting for Basic Plan and Feasibility Study on Seoul Citizens' Sports Park... "Glad to Promote for Health Improvement and Activation of Everyday Sports Amid COVID-19"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] On the 24th, Kim Ki-deok, Vice Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council (Democratic Party of Korea, Mapo 4), held the "Basic Plan and Feasibility Study Service Commencement Report Meeting for the Creation of Seoul Citizens Sports Park" in the Vice Chairman's office. Attendees included former Mapo District Mayor Park Hong-seop, Mapo District Sports Association President Lee Won-beom, former Mapo District Tennis Association President Yoo Cheon-gil, staff from National Assembly member Chung Cheong-rae’s office, Mapo District Council members Shin Jong-gap, Kim Young-mi, Choi Eun-ha, officials from the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Park and Greenery Policy Division, contractors, and related Mapo District officials.

This meeting was organized as a forum to exchange opinions and discuss future plans regarding the commencement status of the "Basic Plan and Feasibility Study Service for the Creation of Seoul Citizens Sports Park," which was initiated with a budget of 200 million KRW secured from the Seoul Metropolitan Government by Vice Chairman Kim Ki-deok for a core project in 2021. The project is planned to be implemented on a site of 47,120㎡ around Nanji Stream Park. The meeting also aimed to propose ideas suitable for the local characteristics at the council level.

Vice Chairman Kim Ki-deok stated, “The demand for public sports infrastructure expansion and new facilities has been increasing as the existing sports facilities are grossly insufficient compared to Seoul’s population. Since last year, I have repeatedly submitted written inquiries and proposals to the Seoul Metropolitan Government regarding key issues related to the creation of Seoul Citizens Sports Park utilizing idle land. Thanks to the cooperation of officials from the Park and Greenery Policy Division and related departments, the service has now commenced, and I am very pleased to achieve this result together with the residents.”

He further emphasized the following key demands: ▲ Expansion of sports facility infrastructure, which has been insufficient compared to the rapidly increasing demand for citizens’ sports and leisure culture suppressed by COVID-19 ▲ Creation of spaces where youth can play healthily, considering that about 18% of youth nationwide are classified as at risk of overdependence on smartphones and the internet due to increased time spent at home during COVID-19 ▲ Development of a resting and healing space reflecting residents’ wishes as a mecca of community sports representing the northwest area ▲ Measures to improve residents’ accessibility and shorten the service period for swift project progress. He urged active cooperation to fully reflect these demands and expedite the project.

Vice Chairman Kim also proposed a “self-powered monorail” as a measure to introduce eco-friendly tourism resources. He requested acceleration in developing eco-friendly carbon-neutral tourism resources that leverage the regional advantages of the Sangam area, including Sangam DMC, World Cup Park, and Nanji Hangang Park, by integrating ecological, historical, and sports parks. This would contribute to the K-Green New Deal policy and the creation of a northwest tourism belt leading the global 4th industrial revolution.

In particular, World Cup Park, located in the western part of Seoul, was created by stabilizing and converting the Nanji landfill?two massive mountains and a large flat landfill area formed from 15 years (1978-1993) of waste discarded by Seoul citizens?into a large-scale environmental and ecological park of 2.7 million㎡ in 2002 to commemorate the World Cup and the new millennium. It consists of five themed parks: Peace Park, Sky Park, Sunset Park, Nanji Stream Park, and Nanji Hangang Park. If the Seoul Citizens Sports Park is also established, it is expected to boost the creation of a cultural tourism belt that combines ecology, environment, culture, leisure, and recreation.

According to data submitted to Vice Chairman Kim Ki-deok by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the park ratio in Mapo District is 18.62%, which is 7.73 percentage points lower than the Seoul average of 26.35%. Among the themed parks, there are no sports parks or waterfront parks, strengthening the argument for the necessity of a sports park for citizens.

Vice Chairman Kim said, “The project site is located within World Cup Park, which attracted 9.2 million visitors annually in 2020 alone, and it is expected that sports facilities linked with Nanji Stream Park can be utilized. Therefore, it is anticipated that the area can be transformed into a space offering popular activities, rest, and enjoyment for local residents.” He added, “As a city council member representing Mapo District, I will take the lead in creating a family-friendly, premium well-being community sports space that meets the health, culture, welfare, and environmental needs of Mapo residents. I am working closely with National Assembly member Chung Cheong-rae to complete this project.”

If the Seoul Citizens Sports Park is established in Sangam-dong, it is expected to serve as a sports land featuring soccer fields, park golf courses, tennis courts, futsal fields, jokgu courts, basketball courts, badminton courts, gateball courts, multipurpose sports fields, outdoor exercise equipment, parking lots, complex children’s playgrounds, outdoor stages, restrooms, changing rooms, shower rooms, and management offices. According to Vice Chairman Kim Ki-deok’s determination and the cooperation of related departments, the service is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and if the project is promoted in next year’s budget, it will proceed through procedures such as revising the World Cup Neighborhood Park creation plan.

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