Jongno-gu to Create "Senior Playground" in Pyeongchang-dong

by Kim Minjin

Published 27 Apr.2026 08:34(KST)

Opening in November... Linked with Dementia-Safe Village

Jongno-gu in Seoul will establish a "Seoul-style Senior Playground" in Pyeongchang-dong, which is currently operated as a dementia-safe village, allowing both seniors and children to use the facility together.

On April 27, Jongno-gu announced that it has secured a project budget of 100 million won after being selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s "Seoul-style Senior Playground Creation" public project. The target area is around Pyeongchang Atti Playground near 2, Pyeongchang 8-gil. The district will begin the design process this month, followed by construction, with the opening scheduled for November.

The scene of the elderly policy meeting with the head elders of the senior centers last March. Provided by Jongno-gu.

The existing Pyeongchang Atti Playground has been a child-centered space equipped with slides and seesaws. However, there were concerns about limited accessibility for seniors and people with mobility challenges due to elevation differences with surrounding leftover spaces. The nearby Rose Garden is also in need of environmental improvement due to aging facilities.

Jongno-gu plans to redevelop this area into a community-based hub that goes beyond simple play facilities to include safe walking, daily exercise, and intergenerational exchange. The district will level the elevation differences to enhance walking safety and install elastic pavement to create a comfortable exercise environment for seniors. Combination play equipment and exercise facilities will be placed together, and a walking trail connecting to the nearby Rose Garden will be created to naturally encourage intergenerational use and walking activities.

Jongno-gu emphasized the importance of this project, given that Pyeongchang-dong is a dementia-safe village. The facility will serve as a hub, connecting dementia prevention and senior health management activities with local infrastructure, including the Jongno-gu Dementia Relief Center, Pyeongchang Senior Community Center, Pyeongchang-dong Community Service Center, and Jongno Saengmyeongsup Daycare Center. The district plans to regularly operate outdoor programs such as the Dementia Relief Center's activities and the Senior Happiness Exercise Class, aiming to foster an integrated community space for all generations.

Jung Moonheon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, said, "This project is significant as it expands the dementia-safe village into a living space where all residents can naturally maintain their health and social connections in everyday life. We will continue to expand convenient and safe living environments for all residents, including seniors."