Gangdong Greenway Family Campground gets water features and a garden to create an in-city escape; trail upgrades, a spring-side rest area and smart lighting make for safer hiking
Seoul's Gangdong-gu said it has completed a comprehensive overhaul of Iljasan Park, giving residents a cool, safe destination for summer outings and hiking without leaving the city.
At the Gangdong Greenway Family Campground (562 Dunchon-dong), the district repaired aging walking paths and installed new water play features for children.
Around the water features, the district also created a "stream charm garden," a landscaped corridor where visitors can stroll alongside a waterway and enjoy nature.
Trail conditions at Iljasan Neighborhood Park (San 125, Dunchon-dong) were also upgraded. Wooden staircases were added to steep slopes to guard against flash flooding during the monsoon season and icy surfaces in winter, and deteriorated steps were replaced. Stone steps on the slope near the natural spring were replaced with wooden stairs to improve pedestrian safety.
Seating walls were also installed around the spring to give hikers a place to rest.
In addition, the district finished upgrading lighting throughout the park so residents can use it safely after dark. All 67 aging park lights across the Iljasan area were replaced with high-efficiency LED fixtures.
The new lights are equipped with smart remote-control technology that allows managers to adjust them in real time. The system is expected to cut energy consumption and enable rapid responses when faults occur, making the park safer for nighttime visitors.
"As the heat of summer sets in, I hope residents will enjoy a refreshing and comfortable hike at the newly renovated Iljasan," district mayor Lee Su-hee said. "We will continue to build a park environment where residents can rest safely."
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