Jungnang-gu announced Friday that it is expanding cooling fog facilities in local parks to protect visitors from heat-related illness during the summer.
The district added cooling fog systems at four new locations: Bonghwasan Onggi Cultural Yard, Bonghwasan (in front of Sinnae 9 complex), Neungsan Park and the Jungnangcheon Rose Tunnel. That brings the total to 11 sites across the district's parks, which also include Junghwa Water Feature Park, Yongma Waterfall Park, Dolsan Sports Park, Sagajeong Park and Junghwa Hanmadang Neighborhood Park.
Cooling fog systems spray purified water through specialized nozzles to produce a fine mist. As the water particles evaporate in the air, they absorb surrounding heat through evaporative cooling, lowering ambient temperatures by up to 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. The systems also produce an air-shower effect that helps reduce fine dust, contributing to a more comfortable park environment.
The district is currently operating a dedicated task force to monitor heat conditions around the clock and maintain an emergency communication network. When a heat wave advisory is issued, a comprehensive support operations center — staffed across five teams and 14 departments — is activated to strengthen on-the-ground response, including protecting vulnerable residents, extending the operating hours of cooling shelters and running 24-hour emergency heat refuges.
"We will continue to expand heat-response facilities so that residents can use our parks safely and comfortably even during extreme heat," District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said. "We will do our best to create a park environment where residents can beat the heat with peace of mind."
ikson@heraldcorp.com
