Walking boom expands across 6 'Crown' hubs — about 60,000 residents participated from April to October this year
Second-half walking event set for Oct. 31 at Omi Ecological Park, open to all Geumcheon-gu residents
Geumcheon-gu has introduced a range of walking programs it is running this autumn, taking advantage of the cool, pleasant weather ideal for outdoor exercise.
Consistent walking lowers the risk of heart disease and stroke, aids weight management and muscle strengthening, and has a positive effect on cognitive function and stress relief. In response, the district has been running a variety of walking programs to help residents naturally incorporate walking into their daily routines and build it into a healthy lifestyle habit.
"Walking is a way to manage your health that anyone can easily practice without special equipment or cost," Geumcheon-gu District Mayor Choi Ki-chan said. "We will actively support a wide range of walking programs that all residents can enjoy, so that walking can take root as a healthy habit in everyday life."
Walk all of Geumcheon-gu — walking classes centered on 6 'Crown' hubs
Geumcheon-gu has expanded its in-person walking programs this year to help residents keep up the habit day to day.
Through "Walk All of Geumcheon-gu," a resident-participatory budget project, the district runs walking classes at six hubs arranged in a crown shape — the Anyangcheon Geumcheon Bridge, Geumcheon Sports Park, Sangiaseup Park, an archery range, Samsungsan Citizens' Rest Park and Omi Ecological Park. At these so-called Crown hubs, participants can learn proper walking posture, stretching and strength exercises.
A total of 1,288 people took part in 96 walking-class sessions held from April through October this year. In a satisfaction survey after the first-half walking project, 93 percent of respondents said they were satisfied — a strong response that has led the district to plan continuing the in-person walking classes next year.
The district also holds walking events twice a year, once each half. The second-half event will take place at Omi Ecological Park on Oct. 31, featuring warm-up exercises, a walking lecture, a group walk and a cool-down session with commemorative photos. The event is open not only to walking-class participants but to any Geumcheon-gu resident, offering a chance to walk with family and neighbors while enjoying the deepening colors of autumn. The first-half walking event, held at Geumcheon Sports Park in June, drew 170 participants.
Non-face-to-face walking programs including a Geumcheon-gu park stamp rally
Geumcheon-gu has consistently run non-face-to-face walking programs centered on its health promotion center. Rather than simply counting steps, the district operates challenges on a variety of themes so residents can participate in ways that match their own interests and lifestyle.
Particularly notable among Geumcheon-gu's non-face-to-face offerings is a moderate-intensity brisk-walking challenge for people in their 40s to 60s — "I'm a Vibrant Middle-Ager, Walking My Way to Health" — tailored to middle-aged residents whose metabolism tends to slow. There is also a park stamp-rally challenge in which participants visit parks across the district, make a heart shape with their hands and submit a photo along with their step count. Another challenge, "No Smoking, No Drinking Healthy Walking," encourages residents to naturally adopt healthy daily habits. The district also runs a challenge aimed at raising the share of residents who practice all three healthy behaviors: walking, non-smoking and moderate drinking.
Alongside this, the district has been steadily expanding its online walking participation channels. Since September it has been piloting a Geumcheon-gu community on "Sonmok Doctor 9988," a mobile health platform. More than 1,000 residents joined within about a month of launch, reflecting continued interest in using mobile devices to stay active.
In 2025, 59,203 people participated in 51 non-face-to-face walking challenges; as of October this year, 55,955 people have taken part in 34 challenges. The district said it would continue to develop a diverse range of programs so residents can choose walking options that fit their own lifestyle and circumstances.
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