Seoul's Nowon-gu said it will operate six water play areas inside neighborhood parks starting Thursday to give residents a cool retreat from the summer heat.
Alongside the "2026 Kuljam Water Park" built this year at Hwarangdae Railway Park, the district is running neighborhood park water areas so children can splash safely close to home. The free facilities are expected to prove especially popular with families with young children.
The six locations are Hannae Park, Gongneung-dong Park, Deulgukhwa Children's Park, Neutiul Park (Kachi Children's Park), Biseokgol Park and Danggogae District Park. They are spread across the Wolge, Gongneung, Junggye and Sanggye areas so all residents have a water play spot within easy reach.
The areas will be open from Thursday through Aug. 16, closing every Monday. Operating hours run from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with each 45-minute session followed by a 15-minute break — six sessions per day in total. During breaks, staff will inspect the facilities and manage visitor safety to keep conditions comfortable. Operations will be adjusted based on weather, including suspension during rain.
The water areas are shallow enough for toddlers through early elementary school children to use without worry. Visitors do not need to bring a swimsuit — casual clothing is fine.
Safety is the district's top priority. Each site will be staffed with safety and operations personnel, and shade structures and changing rooms will be provided for visitor convenience.
Water quality standards will be maintained throughout the operating period, with continuous cleaning of the facilities. First-aid kits will be on hand and an emergency response system will be in place to prevent accidents.
Before operations began, the district held a professional training session for 30 staff members on Wednesday, July 8. The training covered responses to crimes that can occur at water play areas — including sex crimes — as well as visitor management, safety supervision, and emergency first aid including CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use.
Last year, the district's park water play areas drew a total of 22,581 visitors. On weekends, each site averaged 197 visitors per day; on weekdays, 115 — establishing them as a go-to summer destination for residents.
During the same period, the district will also run the "2026 Kuljam Water Park" at the Nowon Train Village area of Hwarangdae Railway Park. The park features a 50-meter inflatable water slide, a lazy river, age-specific pools and a climbing pool, and Nowon-gu residents can enter free with ID. From neighborhood splash zones to a full-scale water park, the district aims to offer residents a wide variety of summer leisure options.
"We are running neighborhood water play areas so children can spend a safe and cool summer right in their local parks, without having to travel far," district mayor Seo Jun-o said. "We will continue building summer water play spaces where all residents can relax with confidence, backed by thorough safety and water quality management."
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