736-square-meter facility separates large and small dogs

An aerial view of the Bonghwasan dog park in Jungnang-gu. [Jungnang-gu]
An aerial view of the Bonghwasan dog park in Jungnang-gu. [Jungnang-gu]

Jungnang-gu will hold an opening ceremony Friday for the Bonghwasan dog park, the district's first dedicated space for dogs, officials announced Wednesday.

The park is the latest addition to the district's pet-friendly infrastructure, following three existing rest areas for pet owners at Gyeomjae Bridge, Ihwa Bridge and Yongma Waterfall Park. The new facility is designed to give dogs a safe space to run freely while improving the shared environment for both pet owners and non-pet owners.

Spanning 736 square meters, the park features separate zones for large dogs and small-to-medium dogs to ensure safe use by all sizes.

The park is open 24 hours a day to registered dogs, with access controlled through an entry authentication system linked to animal registration records. Staff will be on site on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the facility operates unstaffed outside those hours. The park will close from December through February each year to prevent cold-weather accidents.

Along with operating the park, the district plans to inform visitors of usage rules and ensure that dogs and their owners can use the facility safely.

Earlier, the district ran a "Making Friends at the Dog Park" education program in September and October. The curriculum covered owner behavior and etiquette for safe park use, how dogs should greet each other safely at the park, how to distinguish friendly from hostile signals in dogs, and how owners can prevent accidents through timely intervention and mediation.

Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said he hopes the Bonghwasan dog park will be "a place where dogs can run and play freely, and a comfortable retreat where their owners can relax."


ikson@heraldcorp.com