A children's traffic education center that opened in 1983 has been transformed into a full neighborhood park through Songpa-gu's proactive administration, featuring a mist fountain, forest rest area, outdoor library, moss garden and more.
Sincheon Neighborhood Park, which served as an education facility for the past four decades, has completed its makeover and is set to return fully to the community.
Songpa-gu in Seoul announced it will finish renovation work on Sincheon Neighborhood Park by Sept. 30 and open it to the public around the clock starting in October.
The park had been operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency as a children's traffic education center for more than 40 years. Safety concerns stemming from aging infrastructure led to its complete closure in May 2024, cutting off public access.
In response, the district determined that the site — valued at around 130 billion won ($94.2 million) — was being underutilized relative to its land value, and that traffic education could be provided instead at the Songpa Safety Experience Education Center. The district then held ongoing talks with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to restore the site to its original function as a neighborhood park for local residents.
As a result, the district took over management of the park in 2025 and opened it on a temporary basis. Renovation work to convert it into an everyday community park for all residents began in July.
The newly refurbished Sincheon Neighborhood Park has been reborn as a multifaceted wellness destination where rest, walking, culture, play and exercise all come together in one place.
A range of themed spaces are designed to draw visitors in: an outdoor library for reading amid nature, a forest rest area connected by a deck walkway, a mist fountain and moss garden offering a cool, refreshing atmosphere, and a 365-meter health circuit trail.
Hazardous aging structures were demolished, while select features from the former traffic park — including a replica of the old Seoul City Hall building and a miniature Namsan Tunnel — were preserved as distinctive attractions.
A renovated children's playground, a multipurpose exercise area and upgraded restrooms were also added to serve visitors of all ages. Outdated lighting was replaced to improve brightness, and additional CCTV cameras were installed to create a safe environment for evening walks.
The district also plans to mark the park's reopening by hosting the 2026 Songpa Garden Culture Festa at Sincheon Neighborhood Park on Oct. 1 and 2, under the slogan "Songpa, a Garden City We Grow Together," promoting a culture of everyday gardening alongside residents.
Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said he was pleased that Sincheon Neighborhood Park, situated in the heart of the city on prime land, could be returned fully to residents after 40 years. "Now that it has been reborn as a park where any resident can visit freely 365 days a year and enjoy culture and relaxation all in one place, I hope it becomes a beloved destination that brings vitality to people's daily lives," he said.
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