Jongno-gu (district mayor Yoo Chan-jong) has built a Seoul-type kids cafe called Sodamnuri Playground at 62 Dongmangsan-gil — on the site of the former Cheongnyong Kindergarten in Sungin 1-dong — and will hold an opening ceremony on Sept. 2.
The new indoor playground is designed to be unaffected by seasonal changes, weather and fine dust, and is expected to significantly improve childcare conditions for families with young children in the area.
Construction ran from December last year through June this year. The facility was designed to reflect the informal neighborhood play culture of alleyways and courtyards, giving children new play experiences while evoking nostalgic memories for adults. The total project cost was 966 million won ($598,000), combining 828 million won in city funds and 138 million won in district funds.
The first floor is organized into alley-play, floor-play, net-play and media-play zones where children can run and play freely.
The second floor evokes a traditional neighborhood courtyard, with net structures installed throughout so children can explore freely, use their imagination and invent their own games. Traditional Korean games such as tuho (arrow-throwing), yutnori (board game), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking) and ddakji (paper-flipping) are also available.
The facility also includes a nursing room, family restrooms and other amenities for the comfort of both children and guardians. Four staff members covering safety management and childcare are on duty at all times to ensure children's safe use of the facility.
The playground is open to children aged 0 to 9. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Admission is currently free, with a fee of up to 5,000 won per child to be introduced later in line with Seoul-type kids cafe operating guidelines.
The opening ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Sept. 2. The event will include a facility introduction, a space tour and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"I hope Sodamnuri Playground becomes a joyful space where children can play and imagine freely, and a place where guardians can feel at ease spending time with their children nearby," district mayor Yoo said. "We will consistently expand play spaces so that children can enjoy a variety of play and cultural experiences close to their everyday lives."
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