Wonju City to Create Barrier-Free Walking Trails... Wheelchair-Accessible Paths Planned

Mayor Won Gangsoo Inspects Barrier-Free Trail at Gukhyeongsa Temple with Disability Organizations
Wonju City Accelerates Efforts to Establish Wheelchair-Accessible Walking Paths
Aiming to Become the Nation’s Leading Barrier-Free Trekking City

Wonju City in Gangwon Province conducted an on-site inspection on the 29th along the barrier-free walking trail (deck path) at Gukhyeongsa Temple with local disability organizations as part of its initiative to operate wheelchair-accessible walking paths.

Won Kangsoo, mayor of Wonju City, conducted an on-site inspection on the 29th along the barrier-free walking trail (deck path) at Gukhyeongsa Temple with local disability organizations. Provided by Wonju City

The inspection was attended by Lee Wangjae, president of the Wonju Association for the Physically Disabled; Park Sunmi, deputy director of the Wonju Center for Improving Accessibility for the Disabled; Yoo Eunju, secretary general, and Chae Imsu, operations team leader of the Wonju Disabled Sports Association; as well as athletes Jeon Sanghyun, Lee Youngho, and Jeon Sangho from the Jijeong Sports Club, along with other representatives from disability organizations.

The participants walked the 800-meter section of the trail from the Gukhyeongsa Temple parking lot to Dongakdan and back, focusing primarily on checking accessibility. The inspection covered convenience facilities such as restrooms, shelters, and dusters, as well as parking lots, slopes, and the condition of the trail surface.

As a result of the inspection, participants suggested that instead of installing decks uniformly, it would be better to create unique spots such as shelters and photo zones. They also recommended creating wheelchair-accessible walking paths in urban parks to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.

In response, Wonju City plans to operate the “Path for All, Road to Happiness for Everyone” by utilizing its premium walking trail infrastructure, aiming to become the nation’s top trekking city. Sections accessible to wheelchairs will be designated so that all residents, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women, can use them together.

Previously, from April to July, the city conducted inspections of the walking trails, checking the condition of the trail surface, slopes, convenience facilities, and surrounding scenery. Thirteen sections, totaling 23.7 kilometers, were selected as wheelchair-accessible routes. By early November, additional on-site inspections will be conducted with local disability organizations to finalize the suitability of the courses and facilities.

After the inspections are completed, the city will coordinate with the departments managing each course to carry out trail maintenance, expand convenience facilities, install information signs, and produce promotional materials. Starting in April next year, the city also plans to actively promote the courses so that all citizens, including people with disabilities and the elderly, can use them.

Additionally, the city will create and pilot barrier-free walking courses in urban parks. Based on the results, it will consider expanding the courses and reflecting them in future policies.

Mayor Won Gangsoo stated, “By operating walking trails that are also accessible to wheelchairs, we will make Wonju the nation’s leading barrier-free trekking city and contribute to improving residents’ health and quality of life.”

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