Gwangju City Opens "Gwangju Central Park" Special Private Park Project

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] Gwangju City held an opening ceremony for Gwangju Central Park, developed through a special private park project, on the 3rd at an area in San 2-1, Gyeongan-dong.

The event was attended by approximately 200 people, including Mayor Bang Se-hwan, members of the National Assembly, provincial and municipal council members, local residents, and private project operators, to commemorate the completion.

Gwangju Central Park is a special private park project pursued in response to the sunset provision on urban parks. The project was implemented by allocating over 70% of the entire 440,000㎡ area as park space, which is donated to the local government, while the remaining less than 30% is developed as non-park facilities.

The park had been designated as a neighborhood park in the urban management plan in 1993 but remained undeveloped for an extended period. It was eventually developed as a park in the city through public-private cooperation.

Out of the total project area of 440,000㎡, a 340,000㎡ park features three themed spaces: 'Aramwon', an experiential learning space; 'Solbaramwon', a citizen rest area; and 'Garamwon', an ecological art space.

In particular, Gwangju Central Park, which spans an area equivalent to 61 soccer fields, is equipped with various facilities including the Aibareun Growth Center, camping facilities, reading rest areas, a visitor center, a treehouse, a dog playground, a barefoot clay path, water features, and observation rest areas. Restrooms and parking lots have also been installed for visitor convenience.

Additionally, to enhance park accessibility, 15 entry roads have been created, and the walking trail stretches approximately 2.5㎞, allowing visitors to view the city scenery from observation rest areas and other vantage points.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan said, "Gwangju Central Park will transcend a simple park and become a space where citizens can find rest and leisure in their daily lives," adding, "Going forward, we will continue to improve citizens' quality of life by creating community-oriented green spaces."