21km Songpa Dullegil Completed... Returning to Residents After 50 Years!

Restrictions on Resident Access Due to Tancheon Embankment Construction and Ecological Landscape Conservation Area Designation... Opening of Songpa Dullegil Tancheon Trail on the 1st, Commemorative Ceremony Held with Residents

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Seongsoo Park) opened the previously blocked Tancheon Trail on the 1st, completing the "Songpa Dullegil," a fully circular trail, after 50 years.

The "Songpa Dullegil" is a 21km circular walking tour course connecting Seongnaecheon, Jangjicheon, Tancheon, and the Han River, which flow around the outskirts of Songpa-gu. Utilizing the natural waterway terrain that Songpa-gu possesses, the project created resting spaces and connected major urban attractions. It was promoted as a key pledge project of the 7th local government administration.

Among the four streams of Songpa Dullegil, Tancheon was the only unopened section. After the comprehensive development of the Han River in the 1970s, embankments were built and roads constructed, limiting residents' access. Later, in 2002, it was designated as an ecological landscape conservation area, imposing usage restrictions to protect ecology and nature.

As a result, invasive ecological plants proliferated, and garbage accumulated, causing difficulties in stream management. Above all, residents experienced inconvenience as they had to detour toward Gangnam after reaching Gwangpyeonggyo Bridge while walking the Tancheon Trail to access the Han River.

In response, the district began connecting the Tancheon section on November 4 last year. A new promenade was created along approximately 4.4km from Gwangpyeonggyo Bridge to Samsunggyo Bridge. Additionally, four ecological observation decks for birdwatching were installed, and to improve accessibility for nearby residents, four pedestrian crossings and two bridge connection ramps were constructed simultaneously.

The process of creating the Tancheon Trail was not smooth. After announcing the "Songpa Dullegil" project, it underwent three external consultations over about 970 days, two resident briefings, and expert advice from fields such as environmental science, ornithology, and landscaping. Through five reviews and site visits, methods to preserve nature while allowing residents to use the promenade were explored.

As a result, the project proceeded in a direction to create a nature-friendly promenade without encroaching on the conservation area by using embankment terraces and stone cages.

Furthermore, 238 Japanese snowbell trees (Styrax japonicus) were planted as shade trees, and bicycle access was prohibited to protect birds and amphibians inhabiting the stream. Nighttime access is also restricted to allow wild animals to feed and rest, and lighting brightness is kept low. To inform visitors, explanatory and usage restriction signs were installed at major entrances and exits.

Voluntary participation from residents regarding the "Songpa Dullegil" is also notable. The Songpa Dullegil Operation Council (Chairperson Inja Han) is organizing trail guardians for each neighborhood. Currently, 15 neighborhoods have completed formation and are promoting environmental maintenance in their respective sections.

The district is preparing various events for residents using the "Songpa Dullegil," such as a non-face-to-face walking competition and a fallen leaves festival this fall. Ecological exploration programs will also be expanded to Tancheon, and various educational programs to experience the trail's ecology are planned.

Moreover, efforts will continue to connect the "Songpa Dullegil" with attractions, traditional markets, and shops to revitalize the local economy. Currently, connection work is underway for Olympic Park, Pungnap-dong Earthen Fortification, Bangi Wetlands, Jangji Neighborhood Park, Garden Five, Namhansanseong, Wirye Human Ring, and Jamsil Sports Complex.

Seongsoo Park, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “With the return of the Tancheon Trail to residents after 50 years, the 'Songpa Dullegil' has been completed. I am very pleased to have completed it within my term.” He added, “The completion of the Tancheon Trail is not an end but the beginning of Songpa Dullegil Season 2. We will continue to improve residents' quality of life and happiness index and establish it as a landmark where visitors can create unique memories.”

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