Seoul's Gangseo-gu has launched its water-play children's facilities and ground fountains for the summer, giving residents a way to beat the heat without leaving the neighborhood.
The district is opening two water-play children's facilities — at Bongjaesan Solar Plaza (San 22-73, Hwagok-dong) and Yesol Children's Park (743-6, Magok-dong) — so children can enjoy water play close to home.
The facilities, which proved a hit with children last year, are designed to spray continuous jets of water from multiple points throughout the play structures, letting children run safely through fountains and waterfalls at the same time. Temporary changing rooms are also available on-site for visitors' convenience.
The facilities run for 48 days, from July 7 through Aug. 23, closing every Monday for cleaning and mechanical inspections. Daily operating hours are 2 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. To protect children's safety and body temperature, there is a 15-minute rest period from 45 minutes past each hour to the top of the hour.
Admission is free. Operations may be adjusted depending on weather conditions during rain. The district will station safety personnel on-site and conduct regular facility inspections to prevent accidents.
Alongside the water playgrounds, the district is simultaneously operating 12 ground fountains installed at children's parks and neighborhood parks, so residents can enjoy a splash without traveling far from home.
The 12 ground fountain locations are: Saessak Children's Traffic Park, Balsan Neighborhood Park, Dasol Children's Park, Saebeot Children's Park, Hwagok 3 Jugu 1 Children's Park, Byeotgol Children's Park, Hwagok 3 Jugu 2 Children's Park, Baekyeon Children's Park, Hanmaeum Children's Park, Gayang-dong Culture Park, Yeomchang Reservoir Water Play Fountain, and the Yeomchang-dong public open space at the Hanwha apartment complex.
The ground fountains operate through Sept. 30, running daily from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Each cycle sprays water for 45 minutes starting on the hour, followed by a 15-minute pause. Operations will be suspended during rain.
"During the sweltering summer, we will leave no gaps in water quality management and facility safety inspections so that children and parents can enjoy a safe and comfortable retreat right outside their front door," district mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said. "We hope everyone can cool off this summer at these urban oasis water facilities."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
