Gimpo City Establishes 17 Barefoot Walking Trails... Citizens Say "Daily Life Has Changed"

Establishing Healthy Cultural Hubs That Enhance Quality of Life
City Plans to Add 10 More Barefoot Walking Trails by 2026

During the eighth popularly elected term, Gimpo City (Mayor Kim Byungsoo) established 17 "barefoot walking trails" to promote health and relaxation in citizens’ daily lives, which received an enthusiastic response from the public. The operation for this autumn season was successfully completed.

Masonggeum Rice Park Barefoot Walking Trail. Provided by Gimpo City

The "barefoot walking trails," which were created throughout the city so that residents can conveniently use them within their neighborhoods without having to travel far, have become more than just safe and pleasant parks. They have served as healthy cultural hubs that enhance the quality of life for citizens.

In particular, the variety of courses-including wet and dry barefoot trails and loess pools tailored to the characteristics of each area-along with amenities such as foot-washing stations, rest areas, and information boards, played a significant role in increasing citizen satisfaction.

One citizen who frequently used the barefoot trails said, "The barefoot walking trails in Gimpo are mainly located in parks that are easily accessible on foot. The biggest advantage is that anyone can easily find and visit a trail close to home, and I am also satisfied that the diverse courses and well-equipped facilities make them enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age or gender."

Mayor Kim Byungsoo stated, "Parks in Gimpo are representative everyday spaces for relaxation and culture, where citizens can directly participate and experience. We will spare no administrative support to further improve the quality of life for all citizens by providing opportunities for health and relaxation in their daily routines."

Barefoot Walking Trail at Geolpo Central Park. Provided by Gimpo City

Meanwhile, in preparation for the winter season, Gimpo City plans to shut off water-related facilities such as foot-washing stations and drinking fountains from mid-November until March next year to prevent freezing of water pipes. In addition, the city will install information boards and conduct facility inspections in parallel to ensure safe management and minimize inconvenience for users.

Gimpo City also plans to add and operate 10 more barefoot walking trails by 2026. The city aims to develop these spaces into open green areas that foster citizen interaction and healing, taking the lead in realizing a "healthy green city, Gimpo."

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