Gyeonggi Province Seeks Private Garden Candidate Sites by September 4

Gyeonggi Province is accepting recommendations for private garden candidate sites through municipal governments until September 4 to increase the number of beautiful and distinctive gardens.

Private gardens are gardens created and operated by corporations, organizations, or individuals. To register, at least 40% of the total garden area must be green space. Gyeonggi Province recommends green space of 330 square meters or larger. The gardens must also be equipped with convenience facilities such as parking lots and restrooms for visitors.

Candidate sites recommended by municipal governments will undergo preliminary consultation from the Korea National Arboretum and Garden Institute, followed by reviews of registration standards and relevant laws. Final registration decisions will be made after on-site inspections and expert reviews from garden specialists to assess garden construction and maintenance conditions.

Separately, Gyeonggi Province plans to conduct on-site inspections in September for two newly registered applicants, 'Seokjeong Garden' and 'Souffle Baba.' Experts will visit the sites to assess garden construction and maintenance conditions and verify compliance with registration standards. If both are registered, the number of private gardens in the province will increase from the current six to eight.

Currently registered private gardens in Gyeonggi Province include two in Gapyeong County, two in Yeoju City, one in Yangpyeong County, and one in Hwaseong City, totaling six. Among these, 'Tasha's Garden 251' in Gapyeong County was selected for the 2024 'Republic of Korea Private Gardens 30' list, and 'Our Dream' in Yeoju City won the 2021 'Republic of Korea Beautiful Garden Contest.'

Lee Tae-seon, head of Gyeonggi Province's Garden Industry Division, said, "We will actively discover beautiful and distinctive gardens hidden throughout the province so that more residents can enjoy gardens in nearby locations," adding, "We will continue to support private gardens in establishing themselves as new garden culture spaces in local communities."