Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Accelerates Development of Premium Path Integrating Culture, Arts, and Ecology

Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is ambitiously promoting the ‘Korea’s First Urban National Wetland, Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30’ project, aiming to become a representative premium trail of the region, and visible changes are emerging as it enters its second year.

The ‘Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30’ project is one of the core pledges of Gwangsan-gu’s 8th term administration. The goal is to create a 12km (approximately 30 ri) premium trail representing Gwangju, blending culture, art, and ecology, stretching from Songsan Neighborhood Park to Jangnok Wetland and Donggok Dumoolmeori, where the Yeongsan River and Hwangryonggang meet.

Since establishing a dedicated department (Premium Trail Promotion Team) in January last year, Gwangsan-gu has formulated a ‘Five-Year Comprehensive Plan for Premium Trail Development’ and is carrying out various projects to create a path that all citizens want to walk and visit.

The entire Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30, which takes about three hours on foot, is divided into three themed sections, filling them with diverse sights and activities while improving walking and bicycle environments.

The first section, the ‘Water Light Culture Section’ (3.3km), stretches from Songsan Neighborhood Park to Seobong Waterside Area (Seobong Park Golf Course). It is rich in historical and cultural resources such as Eodeungsan Uibyeong-gil and Yangssi Samgangmun, and features an observatory and walking trails offering panoramic views of the Hwangryonggang waterway.

The second section, which includes Hwangryong Waterside Park and Seonun Neighborhood Park, is themed the ‘Moonlight Art Section’ (4.6km). This section, which partially includes Jangnok Wetland, hosts artistic hubs such as the Starry Night Art Museum and Sochon Art Factory. Notably, Seonun Neighborhood Park recently completed nighttime landscape enhancements with LED lighting and signboards, transforming it into a pleasant space for evening walks.

The third section (4.1km), covering two-thirds of the total area of Jangnok Wetland along Hwangryonggang, is evolving into the ‘Grass Light Ecological Section,’ highlighting the ecological value and natural beauty of Jangnok Wetland, home to 829 species of wild flora and fauna, including endangered species like otters. Focusing on preservation, artificial facilities are minimized to allow citizens to feel the vitality of nature and recognize the importance of environmental protection.

Entering its second year, the project plans to accelerate the creation of themed courses that showcase individuality, uniqueness, and differentiation in each section so that citizens can tangibly experience the changes brought by the Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30 project.

Themed gardens and flower beds that bloom in vibrant colors each season have begun sowing seeds for autumn flowers, and indirect lighting will be installed along the Jangnok Wetland walking trail to make it a path people want to walk at night. The birdwatching tower in the Grass Light Ecological Section will be aesthetically improved using eco-friendly methods.

Efforts are also being made to create a better environment for walking and cycling. The walking trail in the Seobong Waterside Area will be paved for easier walking, and a new bicycle path will connect Songsan Neighborhood Park to Seobong Waterside Area. The Jangnok Wetland bicycle road will be refurbished where worn out, disconnected sections will be linked, and bicycle rest areas will be expanded to enhance convenience for cyclists.

To broaden citizen interest and consensus on the Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30, citizen participation events will be expanded. Gwangsan-gu has held various events to promote the value and significance of the trail, including walking and cycling activation events, the Gwangsan-gu Mayor’s Trekking Competition, and ‘EM (Effective Microorganisms) Soil Ball Throwing.’ In May, an event was held where over 800 residents, university students, and children planted willow primrose along the Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30.

Park Byung-gyu, Mayor of Gwangsan-gu, stated, “Since establishing the dedicated department, efforts over the past year and a half?such as connecting disconnected sections, improving walking and cycling environments, and hosting various cultural and artistic events?have put the Hwangryonggang Ecological Trail 30 on a launchpad. We will accelerate changes in each section with diverse themes and add more enjoyment and attractions to make it the most iconic and representative premium trail of Gwangju.”

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