Mokpo-si Transforms into a Child-Friendly City

The newly renovated Mokpo Natural History Museum is receiving great responses from children by offering various attractions, including immersive content. Photo by Mokpo City

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Seunghyun] Mokpo City in Jeonnam is transforming into a city where children can live well.

On the 30th, the city explained that one of the characteristics of Mokpo's administration during the 7th elected term is the continuous expansion of facilities for children.

At the Gohado Cotton Experience Center, which opened last October, a playground was created where children can run and play freely in a safe environment.

As the only cotton experience center in Korea, two large-scale nature-friendly children's play facilities certified for safety were also installed. On weekends and holidays, a world of innocence filled with laughter and running unfolds.

The Natural History Museum, which children visit most frequently, has also been newly renovated. Since November last year, the city has been carrying out a large-scale renovation of the outdated exhibition rooms and applied immersive content using 4th industrial revolution technologies, reopening in March.

By rearranging existing exhibits and enhancing new content, the satisfaction of visitors, including children, has increased.

The city is currently creating a little baseball field on sports facility land next to the Yeongsan River Canoe Stadium, aiming to open it in the first half of the year.

The city is constructing one baseball field (61m＊65m) and installing safety fences, dugouts, rest areas, and lights so that children can enjoy baseball in a safe and comfortable environment.

The Yudalsan Wood Culture Experience Center, to be built next to the Dalseong Parking Lot on Yudalsan Mountain, also includes content for children.

The existing orchid exhibition hall, which was a glass greenhouse, is being demolished, and in its place, a wood culture experience center with a total floor area of 856㎡, consisting of one basement floor and two above-ground floors, is being constructed.

Scheduled to open in July, the Wood Culture Experience Center will consist of exhibition rooms, a wooden playground for toddlers, and a wooden play experience area, making it a promising place for children's emotional development.

The Toy Library, located on the second floor of the Mokpo Eoullim Library currently under construction on cultural facility land in Yonghae-dong and scheduled for completion in May next year, is expected to reduce parents' economic burdens and contribute to creating a child-friendly environment.

Mayor Kim Jongsik of Mokpo said, "It is heartbreaking to see children who cannot run freely and have to wear masks all day because of COVID-19," adding, "It is the responsibility of adults to create an environment where children can grow up bright and healthy. Despite the COVID-19 situation, we will not spare efforts for children, the future saplings."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.