Yanghwa dog park logs 4,500 cumulative visitors, cementing its place as a neighborhood retreat — scan QR code at entrance and enter guardian details and animal registration number to gain access
Yeongdeungpo-gu has introduced an automated pet entry authentication system — dubbed "Pet Pass" — at the Yanghwa dog park, located beside the children's traffic safety experience center beneath Yanghwa Bridge, enabling round-the-clock unmanned operation.
The district built the 2,121-square-meter park on public land along the Anyangcheon stream last year. The facility separates areas for large dogs and small-to-medium dogs, and is equipped with play structures, water fountains, safety fencing, zelkova trees and benches — creating an ideal outdoor environment for dogs and their owners.
Since opening in September last year, the park has drawn approximately 4,500 cumulative visitors through April, establishing itself as a popular retreat for local residents and their pets.
An analysis of visitor patterns by the district found that foot traffic during late-night and early-morning hours — when no staff are on duty — has been consistently increasing.
In response, the district rolled out the automated entry authentication system in January to close the management gap and ensure visitor safety. The QR code-based system verifies animal registration information and restricts entry to registered dogs and their guardians, operating 24 hours a day without staff.
The process is straightforward: visitors scan the QR code on the signboard at the park entrance with their smartphone, then enter the guardian's information and the dog's animal registration number. Once authentication is complete, an entry QR code is generated for access.
Residents wishing to use the park should confirm their dog's animal registration number before visiting. Under the Animal Protection Act, dogs aged 2 months or older must be registered; unregistered dogs and designated dangerous breeds are not permitted entry.
The district is also paying close attention to pet-friendly maintenance. During winter, staff clear snow by hand rather than applying calcium chloride, which can harm dogs' paws, keeping the facility managed in an eco-friendly manner.
"Thanks to the eco-friendly solar-powered Pet Pass system, Yanghwa dog park is now a safe, 24-hour facility that can be used even at night," the head of Yeongdeungpo-gu's Lifestyle Health Division said. "We will continue to manage it with care so that owners and their dogs can visit and enjoy activities with peace of mind at any time."
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