Samcheok City announced that it has been finally selected for the 2027 Forest Welfare Public Contest hosted by the Korea Forest Service in the categories of Forest Welfare Barrier-Free Sharing Path and Forest Park Creation Project.

Through this selection, the city plans to invest a total project cost of 2.8 billion won to create forest experience facilities in the area of the Bonghwangsan Forest Bathing Area, including a 2km barrier-free forest path, 3 themed gardens, 1 forest experience playground, and 1 forest library.

The project budget consists of 900 million won in national funds, 700 million won in provincial funds, and 1.2 billion won in municipal funds, with the goal of completion by December 2028.

The Forest Welfare Barrier-Free Sharing Path is a forest trail designed so that the mobility impaired, such as the disabled, pregnant women, and the elderly, can safely use the forest. In the Bonghwangsan Forest Bathing Area, pedestrian convenience facilities such as deck roads and loess-paved paths will be expanded to enhance accessibility for the mobility impaired.

The Forest Park Creation Project is an initiative to utilize urban forest resources to provide spaces where citizens can enjoy experiences and relaxation in the forest. The city plans to create themed gardens, a forest experience playground, a forest library, and more, while linking them with the existing children's forest experience center to strengthen forest experience and recreational functions.

An official from Samcheok City stated, "We will faithfully promote the project so that the Bonghwangsan Forest Bathing Area becomes a space that men and women of all ages can conveniently use and enjoy the forest," adding, "We will also make every effort to create and manage forest recreation facilities so that forest welfare benefits can be evenly distributed to the citizens."

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