'Pet-Friendly Zone No.1' Mapo-gu Establishes 'Companion Animal Camping Site'

Published 16 Feb.2024 07:30(KST)

Creation of a 2,863㎡ Pet Camping Site in Nanji Hangang Park, Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu... Scheduled to Open in June
Camping Spaces, Play Facilities, and Convenience Facilities Installed... Water Play Area Operated in Summer to Cool Off
Park Gang-su, District Mayor, "Leading the Establishment of a Pet-Friendly City and the Promotion of a Healthy Pet Culture"

Park Kang-su, Mayor of Mapo District, visiting the site where the pet camping ground will be established

In the era of 15 million pet owners, Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) has emerged as the 'No. 1 Pet-Friendly City.'

‘Pet-friendly area’ is a newly coined term combining the English word for companion animals, pet, and ‘se-gwon’ derived from ‘station area,’ referring to places with ample facilities for pets nearby.

According to Mapo-gu, KB Kookmin Bank’s real estate platform KB Real Estate analyzed the status of 8,873 pet-friendly businesses by category in Seoul, revealing that Mapo-gu had the highest number of pet-related businesses with 1,084.

Also, as the top pet-friendly district, Mapo-gu borders the Han River the longest among Seoul’s autonomous districts, and the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail stretches through its center, making it an ideal city for pet owners to take walks with their pets.

Living up to its reputation as a city great for pets, Mapo-gu has been developing a 2,863㎡ ‘Pet Camping Site’ in Nanji Hangang Park, Sangam-dong since last year. This urban camping site, which will offer unforgettable memories with pets, is scheduled to open to visitors starting June this year.

The pet camping site created by Mapo-gu goes beyond traditional dog parks where leashes or harnesses are simply removed for play. It is a space focused on pet owners and their pets, allowing them to enjoy various leisure and cultural activities as well as pet-specialized services all in one place.

The camping site will feature separate areas for small and large dogs to safely run and play, drinking fountains, play facilities, and camping decks where owners can enjoy camping while admiring views of the Han River with their dogs.

Convenience facilities stocked with pet supplies, snacks, and food will also be established. Mapo-gu plans to operate a behavioral counseling room here and provide dog behavior correction and pet etiquette education.

Additionally, for pet owners who want to enjoy camping but do not have personal camping gear, a rental service for tents and mats will be offered, enabling anyone to easily enjoy eco-friendly leisure activities.

Furthermore, Mapo-gu plans to operate a water play area during the summer to help dogs beat the heat, allowing both pet owners and their pets to have a cool summer.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The Mapo-gu pet camping site is a complex space encompassing camping areas, convenience facilities, cultural and educational programs, and administrative services. Mapo-gu will continue to make every effort to build a pet-friendly city and take the lead in fostering a healthy pet culture.”