Yoo Cheon-ho, Ganghwa County Governor, Inspects Renovated Seokmo Island Natural Recreation Forest

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Shin Eun-seop] Ganghwa County Governor Yoo Cheon-ho visited the Seokmo Island Natural Recreation Forest on the 8th, which is being newly renovated in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era, to inspect preparations and encourage related staff.

The Seokmo Island Natural Recreation Forest (hereinafter "recreation forest") is the only recreation forest in the Incheon region established in the central western coast, attracting more than 40,000 tourists annually based on its outstanding scenery where sea and mountains blend harmoniously and its clean facilities.

Since November last year, the county suspended operations of the recreation forest facilities to prevent the spread of community transmission of COVID-19. During this period, the county has been renovating recreational facilities and supplementing existing facilities in preparation for the increased demand for forest recreation expected after COVID-19.

Currently, the county plans to increase forest facilities and provide a pleasant environment by investing 150 million won in installing wooden stairs at the recreation forest, allocating 300 million won for landscape improvements at the arboretum's sabo dam, and 300 million won for creating a stone wall garden at the arboretum.

In addition, the county is developing forest education services such as forest interpretation and forest therapy programs to respond to the demand for forest recreation and healing in the post-COVID-19 era.

County Governor Yoo Cheon-ho said, "Seokmo Island Natural Recreation Forest is a place that is comparable to any other with its natural environment on the slopes of Sangbong Mountain," and "In preparation for the post-COVID-19 era, we will develop the recreation forest into a nature-friendly rest space where people can enjoy forest education, recreation, and healing while preserving forest ecosystems."