Osan City Focuses on Opening Second Entrance to Mulhyanggi Arboretum... Aiming to Ease Parking Shortages and Boost Tourism

Osan City Pushes for a "Second Main Entrance" at Mulhyanggi Arboretum
Proactive Measures in Response to Surge in Visitors After Free Admission
Segyo 13 Complex and Gwoldong Considered as Candidate Locations
3,800 Households Join Petition, Urging Provincial Decision

Osan City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Kwonjae) is making every effort to open a new entrance to Mulhyanggi Arboretum, a representative tourist attraction in southern Gyeonggi Province. Since the arboretum began offering free admission, the number of visitors has surged dramatically. However, the site now faces challenges such as narrow access roads and a shortage of parking spaces.

Osan City (Mayor Lee Gwonjae) is making every effort to open a new entrance to Mulyanggi Arboretum, a representative tourist resource in southern Gyeonggi Province. Provided by Osan City

According to Osan City on April 23, two locations have been designated for the new entrance: one toward Segyo 13 Complex and the other in the direction of Gwoldong.

If an entrance is established toward Segyo 13 Complex, the first and second public parking lots of Eunbit Stream Park (a total of 147 spaces) can be utilized immediately, which is expected to significantly alleviate chronic parking shortages in the area. In particular, it will secure a tourism route connected to the Dolmen Park, where the "Oh! Happy Rose Festival" is held, which is expected to greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy.

If the entrance is established in the direction of Gwoldong, visitors will be able to use the third public parking lot in Gwoldong (a three-story structure with 112 spaces), and it will also connect to the second section of the 17-kilometer-long Osaek Dullegil Seoksan Forest Trail.

The Mulhyanggi Arboretum management has taken a cautious stance on adding new entrances, citing the need to protect and research plant genetic resources, which is the arboretum’s primary mission. There are concerns that indiscriminate access could damage valuable plant resources.

In response, Osan City has proposed a "phased opening" approach. This suggestion benchmarks a recent case in which the Cultural Heritage Administration temporarily opened the rear gate of Yeoju Sejong the Great’s Royal Tomb—a UNESCO World Heritage site—balancing preservation and public access.

An Osan City official stated, "We are in ongoing discussions with Gyeonggi Province to find the best compromise for protecting plant resources while improving accessibility for citizens."

The local community is also lending its support to this initiative. Recently, the Segyo District Apartment Association submitted an official request signed by approximately 3,800 households to the Gyeonggi Forest Environment Research Institute and the provincial council, asking for the new entrance. As occupancy in Segyo 2 District has become more widespread, the increased population has led to stronger demands for greater access rights to the arboretum.

A representative of the association said, "The entire Segyo 2 District consists of about 20,000 households, and there are around 4,300 existing and new apartment units near Mulhyanggi Arboretum, with about 13,000 residents. About 3,800 households participated in the petition for the new entrance. We hope that the province will take citizens’ opinions seriously and not disregard them."

Osan City (Mayor Lee Gwone-jae) is making every effort to open a new entrance to Mulhyanggi Arboretum, a representative tourist resource in the southern Gyeonggi region. Provided by Osan City

An Osan City official commented, "Opening an entrance toward Segyo 13 Complex or Gwoldong would not only help disperse visitors but also partially solve the parking problem. Following the move to free admission, it is essential to open additional entrances as a follow-up measure. We will cooperate with the province in terms of management, so we ask for their support in establishing additional entrances."

Mayor Lee Kwonjae emphasized, "Mulhyanggi Arboretum is a healing space for Osan citizens and a valuable asset for Gyeonggi Province. By establishing additional entrances, we will dramatically improve accessibility and create an environment where everyone can comfortably enjoy nature. The city will focus all its capabilities on this goal."

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