Gwangjin-gu Opens Jungnangcheon Water Park Tuesday — Free for All, No Reservation Needed

Gwangjin-gu will open the Jungnangcheon Water Park on Tuesday to give residents a cool summer escape in the heart of the city during the sweltering heat, district Mayor Kim Gyeong-ho announced.

This year's Jungnangcheon Water Park, located at 485-7 Junggok-dong, will operate for two months through Aug. 23. All residents may use the entire facility free of charge with no advance reservation required.

The park spans a 3,277-square-meter site in Junggok-dong along the Jungnangcheon and is equipped with 30 water play installations, including a waterslide that is especially popular with children.

The facility has been designed as an urban summer retreat for the whole family, with amenities including shower rooms, changing rooms and restrooms, as well as Mongolian-style shade tents, seating and drinking fountains to help visitors escape the intense sun.

The district said it will focus heavily on safety and water quality so residents can use the park with peace of mind. Water quality will be self-tested every two hours using rapid-test kits, and clean tap water will be supplied throughout. A daily water-circulation process — draining and refilling the reservoir — will keep the water fresh. A certified testing agency will conduct full water-quality checks every 15 days, strictly monitoring turbidity, pH and other indicators.

To prevent accidents inside the park, safety personnel will be stationed throughout at all times, and thorough equipment inspections will be carried out before and after each operating day.

This year the park will be open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will enjoy 45-minute swim sessions followed by 15-minute rest breaks, and the park will pause operations from noon to 1 p.m. daily for maintenance. The park will be closed every Monday and on rainy days for safety reasons.

District officials asked visitors to follow the park's rules voluntarily so everyone can enjoy a clean and hygienic environment. To protect water quality, visitors must enter barefoot or wearing aqua shoes — no regular footwear is permitted inside the water area. Infants and toddlers must wear waterproof swim diapers, and outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited.

"We have made every preparation so families can enjoy a cool summer with their children right outside their front door, without having to travel far," district Mayor Kim said. "Above all, we will make safety and water quality our top priority and create a welcoming space in the city where residents can visit with complete peace of mind."