Gyeonggi Province Expands Clean Leisure Facilities

Various leisure and recreational facilities are being established in forested areas across Gyeonggi Province with lush tree coverage.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 27th that to meet provincial residents' demand for recreational facilities, it will invest a total of 189.5 billion won by 2010 to develop 8 arboretums and botanical gardens, 5 natural recreation forests, and 5 forest experience rest areas.

Accordingly, a natural recreation forest will be developed at Kalbongsan (263㏊) in Gapyeong-eup, Gapyeong-gun by next year with a total investment of 4.9 billion won, featuring various lodging facilities including log cabins and camping grounds, sports facilities, and hiking trails.

Additionally, a natural recreation forest will be developed by 2008 with 5.1 billion won invested at nearby Gangssibong (980㏊) in BukMyeon, Gapyeong-gun, and natural recreation forests will also be developed at Choburi (155㏊) in Mohyeon-myeon, Yongin City; Gangcheon-myeon (31㏊) in Yeoju-gun; and Wangbangsan (92㏊) in Dongducheon City.

Meanwhile, the province will develop a second natural recreation forest at Nakjo (78㏊) in Sungam-dong, Ansan City with 18 billion won invested by 2009, and will develop at Hwanghaksan (27㏊) in Maeryong-ri, Yeoju-gun by 2008 with 7.2 billion won investment, establishing various tree species forests, botanical gardens, wildflower gardens, wild berry gardens, and outdoor learning facilities.

Additionally, arboretums and botanical gardens will be established at Songsan (14㏊) in Uijeongbu City, Jasaeng (3㏊) in Yangju City, Sangmyeon (9㏊) in Gapyeong-gun, Paltanmyeon (11㏊) in Washeng City, Kkachuul (24㏊) in Chunui-dong, Bucheon City, and Gongjiam (16㏊) in Gwangju City.

Additionally, urban-rural mutual benefit forest experience rest areas will be developed at five locations—Unaksan, Geomsan, Surisan, Gamaksan, and Seounsan—and the Jatbyanghyang Green Classroom will be established on the slopes of Chukryeongsan in Haenghyeon-ri, Sangmyeon, Gapyeong-gun.

A provincial official stated, "In accordance with the implementation of a five-day work week, we have decided to develop recreation forests and arboretums so that families can enjoy health and rest together," and added, "We plan to assign themes to each facility and install unique experience facilities to utilize them as nature education and learning centers."

Meanwhile, the province currently has 8 natural recreation forests covering 4,690㏊, 9 arboretums and botanical gardens covering 2,182㏊, and 33 forest bathing areas covering 3,179㏊.