Separate zones for large and small dogs; barrier-free path and 24-hour access system installed
Opening ceremony Friday to feature trained-dog performances, caricatures and paw-print art
Seoul's Jungnang-gu is set to open the district's first dedicated dog park as part of its push to become a pet-friendly city.
The district announced Wednesday that it will hold an opening ceremony for the Bonghwasan dog park in Sinnae-dong on Friday and begin full operations.
The park covers 736 square meters behind the Sinnae Senior Welfare Center, in the area of 751-3 Sinnae-dong. It is the first time Jungnang-gu has built a park exclusively for dogs.
The facility separates activity zones for large dogs and small-to-medium dogs to prevent accidents caused by size differences. It also includes a management office, restrooms and other amenities, as well as a barrier-free path for wheelchair users.
Dogs with completed animal registration can access the park around the clock through an entry authentication system linked to their registration data. Staff will be on site on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the park operating unmanned outside those hours. The park will close from December through February next year, however, to prevent winter safety incidents.
The opening ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. Friday and will include a trained-dog performance showcase along with activities for pet owners and residents — dog caricature drawing, bead ID tag making and paw-print frame crafting.
The new park is the latest addition to the district's pet infrastructure, following three pet-family rest areas already established at Gyeomjae Bridge, Ihwa Bridge and Yongma Waterfall Park.
The aim is to give dogs a safe space to play while fostering a neighborhood environment where pet owners and non-pet owners can coexist.
Jungnang-gu District Mayor Ryu Gyeong-gi said he hopes the Bonghwasan dog park will be a place where dogs can run freely and owners can relax comfortably. "We will work hard to manage the facility well and cultivate a proper pet culture so that pet owners and non-pet owners can be considerate of each other and enjoy the space together," Ryu said.
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