Opening of ‘Bongjesanchaek Shelter,’ an Ecologically Specialized Library in Gangseo-gu, Seoul

Published 24 Apr.2023 08:55(KST)

Updated 24 Apr.2023 20:07(KST)

Located within Bongjesan Neighborhood Park in Hwagok-dong, designed with wood tones that blend with nature

On the 25th at 3 PM, the opening ceremony will feature experience booths, meetings with artists, and an art printing exhibition

Programs linked with nearby ecological resources such as the toddler forest playground and nature experience learning center

"Put down stress and distractions for a moment and enjoy reading and relaxation in nature."

Gangseo-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Tae-woo) will open the ecological specialized library ‘Bongjesanchaek Shelter’ on the 25th, embracing the park.

The book shelter is located within Bongjesan Neighborhood Park in Hwagok-dong, decorated inside and out with wood tones and designs that harmonize with the park, and features a design linking the park and playground. It was built as part of Seoul City's project to create book shelters within parks.

With two floors and an area of 477㎡, it includes reading rooms, club rooms, and rest decks designed for users of various age groups, and holds many books related to ecology and plants.

The district has also prepared programs utilizing ecological resources such as the toddler forest playground and nature experience learning center within the park to coincide with the opening of the book shelter.

Programs include a ‘Reading Program’ where participants select books with a reading instructor and communicate with the wider world beyond home and school; an ‘Art Therapy Program’ that helps improve self-expression and communication skills through art experiences; and a ‘Specialized Program for the Disabled’ that fosters a sense of achievement among people with disabilities. These are expected to increase resident participation and broaden opportunities for cultural enjoyment.

Opening of ‘Bongjesanchaek Shelter,’ an Ecologically Specialized Library in Gangseo-gu, Seoul

The opening ceremony will be held at Bongjesanchaek Shelter at 3 PM on the 25th, attended by about 80 people including Mayor Kim Tae-woo, local members of the National Assembly, city and district council members, and residents, featuring a variety of attractions.

The Insiem Arts Group, showcasing top-level performance skills, will deliver the romance of spring with an outdoor string quartet congratulatory concert of beautiful melodies.

Especially, the ‘Making Experience Booth’ themed on ecology and environment, including reading ecological picture books and making tree puzzles; a ‘Insect Mask Making Lecture’ by picture book author Ahn Eun-young; and an ‘Art Printing Exhibition’ featuring the contents of books will offer joyful memories to residents.

Additionally, to commemorate the opening, the Seoul City ‘Mom and Dad Happiness Project’ program will be held on the 29th and 30th. Experience programs such as making butterfly growth books, insect whistles, and Gangseo-gu map pop-up books, special programs with authors, and a comic musical cultural arts performance for all generations will be presented.

Detailed information related to this can be found on the Gomdallae Library website (homepage) under notices.

Mayor Kim Tae-woo said, “With the arrival of full spring, we expect many family visitors to come to Bongjesanchaek Shelter to read books and participate in experience programs within the park,” adding, “We will do our best to create a space that can heal residents’ minds and health and make Gangseo full of culture and arts.”

Gangdong-gu Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Sangil 2-dong Community Center

Lee Soo-hee, Mayor of Gangdong-gu, held the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sangil 2-dong Community Center on the 21st.

Scheduled for completion in December 2024, the new Sangil 2-dong Community Center will be built at San 77-27, Sangil-dong, with a total floor area of 2,408㎡ from one basement floor to five above-ground floors. It will provide various and convenient living services to residents with facilities including a civil service office, community lounge, kids caf?, and lecture rooms.

Mayor Lee Soo-hee said, “Once completed, the community center is expected to meet the increasing administrative, welfare, and cultural demands of residents in the Godeok-Gangil area,” adding, “I will carefully oversee the construction to prioritize residents’ safety until the project is finished.”

Seongbuk-gu Conducts Spring Cleaning and Disinfection at 60 Village Bus Stops

Providing residents with a safe and pleasant public transportation environment through bus stop maintenance

Plans to install about three new bus stop shelters within the year

Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) conducted environmental cleaning and disinfection at 60 village bus stops in the district from April 14 to April 24 to provide residents with a pleasant public transportation environment and prevent infectious diseases such as COVID-19 in preparation for spring.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, Seongbuk-gu has carried out environmental cleaning and disinfection of village bus stops twice a year. Even though social distancing has ended this year, many COVID-19 cases still occur, so disinfection continues to reduce residents’ concerns about infectious diseases.

The cleaning and disinfection of bus stops were conducted by a private specialized company, with measures taken to minimize inconvenience to residents during the work. Illegal advertisements and expired promotional materials attached to the bus stops were removed, and residues such as tape marks were cleaned. Then, the interior and exterior surfaces of the bus stops, contaminated by fine dust and yellow dust, were washed with high-pressure water. After cleaning, disinfection was performed mainly on the glass and seats of the bus stops, which passengers frequently touch, using disinfectants certified by the Ministry of Environment.

Mayor Lee Seung-ro of Seongbuk-gu said, “Since village buses are widely used public transportation by residents, we are making various efforts such as installing new bus stop shelters and maintaining the environment to improve bus stop conditions,” adding, “In 2023, we plan to newly install about three bus stop shelters based on demand surveys.”