Hanam Mayor Lee Hyun-jae: "Come Walk Barefoot Year-Round on Our Four-Season Yellow Clay Paths"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] On the 18th, Hanam Mayor Lee Hyun-jae inspected the yellow clay paths at Pungsan Neighborhood Park 3 and Misa Forest Park, which have been upgraded with electric heaters installed on the paths for the first time nationwide, allowing barefoot walking even during winter. The mayor conducted the inspection with residents and launched a promotional campaign for Hanam City's specialized barefoot walking trails.

This preliminary inspection was planned to ensure that citizens can safely use the four-season yellow clay paths at Pungsan Neighborhood Park 3 and Misa Forest Park, which are accessible even in winter, and to actively promote their use.

Previously, the city decided to close the yellow clay paths during winter due to concerns including ▲increased risk of injuries to users from frozen ground ▲possibility of frostbite among users, and ▲damage to foot-washing stations from freezing.

Subsequently, citizens suggested creating four-season yellow clay paths that could be used even in the depth of winter. After conducting research to realize this, the city developed four yellow clay path locations as year-round facilities.

The city installed canopies approximately 150 meters in length at the yellow clay paths in Pungsan Neighborhood Park 3 and Misa Forest Park to minimize external environmental impacts by blocking rain and snow. Inside, it installed electric heaters and hot water dispensers for the first time nationwide.

Meanwhile, the city plans to create additional four-season yellow clay paths at Gamil Culture Park and Wirye Sunra Park by the end of December, measuring 80 meters and 160 meters in length, respectively.

Mayor Lee carefully inspected whether the canopy structures installed at the yellow clay paths in Pungsan Neighborhood Park 3 and Misa Forest Park were stable and meticulously checked whether the interior temperature warmed by electric heaters was appropriate.

Mayor Lee Hyun-jae stated, "The four-season yellow clay path is a barefoot walking infrastructure established to provide a space where people can improve their health and relieve stress through barefoot walking exercises even during winter when outdoor activities are limited. Going forward, the city will continue to make efforts to create healing spaces that can enhance the quality of life for citizens."