(Uijeongbu=Yonhap News) Reporter Woo Young-sik – Gyeonggi Province announced on the 2nd that it has selected five locations for its “Low-Carbon Waterfront Park Project for Local Rivers,” targeting northern cities in the province. The selected locations are Gongneungcheon in Goyang City, Buyongcheon and Jungnangcheon in Uijeongbu City, Dongducheoncheon in Dongducheon City, Pocheoncheon in Pocheon City, and Saneungcheon in Namyangju City.
This project is part of Governor Kim Dong-yeon’s initiative to revamp northern Gyeonggi Province. Unlike previous river improvement projects focused mainly on disaster prevention, this initiative centers around creating waterfront parks that locals can enjoy in their daily lives, emphasizing harmony with people and nature.
Goyang City plans to develop a waterfront park along 2 kilometers of the Gongneungcheon River, featuring bike paths and a botanical garden. Uijeongbu City will create five rest areas, a 1,000 square meter swimming pool, lighting facilities, and a music garden along Buyongcheon and Jungnangcheon Rivers. Pocheon City will establish three waterfront parks in the mid-section of Pocheoncheon, including a circular plaza, water play area, and aroma garden.
Dongducheon City will enhance a 4-kilometer walkway along Dongducheoncheon, installing streetlights and CCTV for the convenience of residents and tourists using Wangbang and Tap-dong valleys. Additionally, Namyangju City will construct a 1-kilometer walkway along Saneungcheon and connect bike paths through Dasan New Town to Wangsukcheon and the Han River.
The province aims to complete the project by December next year. Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs Oh Hu-seok stated, “Our goal is to create spaces where people can walk along the rivers, rest in the shelters, and stay, moving beyond traditional flood prevention projects. We also aim to develop these areas into tourist attractions to boost local economies.”