Namyangju Officially Opens 'Mulmarum Arboretum Forest Culture Center'

[Suwon Ilbo=Eom In-yong] The 'Mulmarum Arboretum Forest Culture Center,' completed by Namyangju City after over two years of construction, officially opened on the 23rd.

The newly opened Forest Culture Center, which has expanded exhibition and experience spaces under the slogan 'An Arboretum Worth Revisiting, An Arboretum Within Reach,' combines experiential digital content with diverse experience programs to provide visitors with healing in nature and ecological sensibilities.

The opening ceremony of the 'Forest Culture Center' was attended by children from Dosong Daycare Center in Sudo-myeon, who began the commemoration by singing a newly composed children's song titled 'The World I Hope For.'

Arboretum specialist coordinators then introduced specialized programs arranged by floor under the concept 'How to Properly Enjoy the Forest.' These programs include △viewing videos of the four seasons △habariums and pressed flower plant displays △rare plant exhibits △seed observation using microscopes, and more.

Additionally, children from daycare centers in the Hwado and Sudo areas created name tags, badges, forest fragrance cards, and postcards using natural materials from the arboretum, adding deeper significance to the Forest Culture Center's opening.

A performance also took place in which Korean fir, a specialty plant, was planted in a location visible from the Forest Culture Center. The Forest Culture Center, symbolized by the concave leaves of the Korean fir, is expected to become a space that embraces citizens year-round and strengthens their connection with nature.

Now in its seventh year of operation, Mulmarum Arboretum has established itself as a representative destination in Namyangju, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. The arboretum features age-specific experience spaces including △woodcraft production △forest recreation △early childhood forest experience areas, which have been met with strong enthusiasm from visitors.

Meanwhile, the city plans to expand accessible facilities without class distinctions by creating a family forest experience zone incorporating treehouses, therapy gardens, and barefoot walking paths, as well as constructing an accessible loop deck trail for safe exploration of arboretum facilities. These improvements will provide citizens with sights and enjoyment.

Mayor Ju Kwang-deok of Namyangju stated in his opening remarks: "The Forest Culture Center is a key asset that will lead the development of Mulmarum Arboretum and an important space where citizens can draw closer to nature. Going forward, we will concentrate administrative efforts on land exchange procedures with Gyeonggi Province to ensure swift implementation of projects such as the creation of a family forest experience zone for arboretum revitalization, making the arboretum develop into the finest destination."

Various experience programs at Mulmarum Arboretum can be pre-booked through the website (https://nyj.go.kr/forest/index.do). For more information, contact the Namyangju Mulmarum Arboretum Team (☎031-590-4074 ~ 4078).