Camp LaGuardia at Uijeongbu US Military Base Returns to the Citizens' Hands

by Lee jonggu

Published 06 Sep.2024 15:43(KST)

Camp LaGuardia Reborn as a 'Small Park' After 15 Years of Neglect

Camp LaGuardia Small Park

'Camp LaGuardia,' a former U.S. military return site in Uijeongbu-si, Gyeonggi-do, has been newly transformed into a park and returned to the citizens.

Uijeongbu City announced on the 6th that it has opened 'Camp LaGuardia Small Park' on the long-neglected Camp LaGuardia site. It has been 15 years since the camp was closed in 2005 and returned in 2007.

Located in Ganeung 2-dong, Camp LaGuardia spans 136,774㎡ and had remained undeveloped due to financial difficulties after its return. As a result, various complaints such as illegal farming, illegal dumping of waste, and pest damage had been continuously raised.

In February 2020, Uijeongbu City invited priority negotiation candidates for the urban development project, and since November 2021, it has been carrying out the urban development project with a goal of completion by December 2027.

The site is planned to include public offices, cultural parks, small parks, and apartment complexes. In particular, the cultural park and small park are being developed with private funds according to the public interest return plan of the urban development project implementation agreement.

The Camp LaGuardia Small Park covers 1,177㎡ and is equipped with various trees, shade shelters, fountains, and sloped benches. The city plans to operate the water facilities for one month starting from the 11th, running them every hour for 50 minutes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Kim Dong-geun, Mayor of Uijeongbu City, said, "The opening of this small park is the first step in returning Camp LaGuardia to the citizens," adding, "We will do our best in the future to create public offices, cultural parks, and sports parks."