Long-Neglected 'Namsan Neighborhood Park' Returns to Ganghwa Residents After 50 Years

[Suwon Ilbo=Shin Eun-seop] 'Namsan Neighborhood Park,' a long-neglected long-pending urban project in Ganghwa County's original downtown area, has been transformed into an urban park and returned to county residents after 50 years.

On the 29th, the county held a completion ceremony for 'Namsan Neighborhood Park' with attendance by Incheon Mayor Park Nam-choon, County Governor You Cheon-ho, Vice Chairman Park Seung-han of the County Council and council members, heads of government agencies and organizations, and residents, fully opening the park to the public.

Namsan Neighborhood Park, designated as an urban park in 1972, had been left neglected for 50 years. The county developed it into an urban park as part of efforts to accelerate SOC (social overhead capital) projects in everyday life.

'Namsan Neighborhood Park' has a site area of 103,240㎡ and was developed with an investment of 27.9 billion won, featuring ▲1.2km walking trails ▲rest areas modeled after nature ▲4 exercise facilities ▲2 natural playgrounds ▲musical fountain in plaza and other facilities.

In particular, the walking trails were designed with gentle slopes by maximizing the terrain for elderly users' convenience, and sufficient scenic decks, pavilions, and pergolas were installed for resting during walks.

The green spaces integrated with the walking trails are planted with trees considering seasonal changes, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of all four seasons.

Additionally, the county's first musical fountain was created in the spacious park plaza, providing vibrant water displays synchronized with music during the day and a fountain show enhanced with lighting at night, allowing county residents to rest and heal with their families.

County Governor You Cheon-ho said in his opening remarks at the completion ceremony, "With the completion of Namsan Neighborhood Park, we are finally able to return a complete rest area for residents after half a century since its designation as an urban park," and "Going forward, we will do our best to prioritize county residents and significantly strengthen SOC facilities in everyday life to improve residential conditions and residents' happiness index."