Seoul City to Transform Concrete Stairs and Open Spaces in Hangang Parks into 'Rest Areas'... 32 Sites Including Under Seongsan, Wonhyo, and Seogang Bridges

by Lim Chulyoung

Published 03 Aug.2022 06:02(KST)

Constructed under Han River bridges, at interchanges, and Han River view points with high public use... Completion in October

Seoul City to Transform Concrete Stairs and Open Spaces in Hangang Parks into 'Rest Areas'... 32 Sites Including Under Seongsan, Wonhyo, and Seogang Bridges

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government's Hangang Project Headquarters announced on the 3rd that it will newly create a total of 32 rest areas throughout the park, including 19 wooden stair rest areas and 13 scenic rest areas, so that citizens can comfortably relax and enjoy leisure activities at Hangang Park.

The hard and rough gray concrete stairs of Hangang Park will be transformed into wooden stair rest areas where visitors can sit comfortably and rest. Spaces that were previously open areas or slopes with beautiful views of the Hangang but no place to rest will be transformed into scenic rest areas where citizens want to stay.

Seoul City selected locations mainly where citizens frequently pass by or where it is good to take a break, such as under Hangang bridges, near entrances, and Hangang viewpoints. The construction is planned to be completed by October, the busy autumn season. The stair rest areas will be created under Seongsan Bridge, Wonhyo Bridge, Seogang Bridge, Mapo Bridge, Jamwon Entrance, Sinsa Entrance, and Seokchon Entrance. The scenic rest areas will be established under Dangsan Railway Bridge, Sangsu Entrance, Ttukseom Amusement Park, Noryang Bridge, and Jamwon Connector Road.

First, the ‘stair rest areas’ will be created by adding wood to the existing concrete stairs or installing wooden chairs. Depending on the characteristics of each park, various types of stair rest areas will be made, such as table-type with tables or flat-type where several people can sit together. Since the existing concrete stairs were not designed for sitting, they were cold and hard, making it uncomfortable to rest.

The ‘scenic rest areas’ will be created in open spaces or slopes without resting places among locations with good views of the Hangang or places frequently visited by citizens. Depending on the location, various types of benches will be installed and trees planted to transform the space into an attractive area for visitors.

The city plans to continuously discover spaces within Hangang Park that need stair rest areas or scenic rest areas so that citizens can enjoy Hangang Park comfortably and pleasantly. Yoon Jong-jang, head of the Seoul Hangang Project Headquarters, said, “Creating rest areas in Hangang Park is meaningful in that it expands spaces where citizens can refresh their tired daily lives while looking at the wide-open Hangang,” and added, “We will continue to make efforts so that citizens visiting Hangang Park can enjoy rest and leisure more comfortably.”